Biography

Credited with discovering Kathy Kirby, and died during a recording of her television show.

Had a reputation for picking only the very best musicians. Some of the top artists who passed through his organisation included George Shearing, Danny Polo, Vera Lynn, George Melachrino, Stanley Black, Ted Heath, Lew Stone, Elsie Carlisle, Bill Amstell, and Eddie Calvert. He was also very influential in furthering the careers of Evelyn Dall and Kathy Kirby, both of whom he had a romantic liaisons with, despite being married at the time.

Quit leading a big band in 1956 to work in artist management.

Ambrose studied music in New York and in his teens played violin in cinema pit orchestras, accompanying silent movies. Between 1917 and 1920, he led his first band at the Palais Royal in New York. He later returned to England, opening at Luigi's Embassy Club in London. Based for six years at the prestigious Mayfair Club (1927-33), Bert Ambrose and His Orchestra became well-established as one of the most popular 'sweet-style' dance bands in the country, with considerable exposure on national radio. With the advent of swing, Ambrose changed the style of his band to resemble that of 'Glenn Miller'.

Bert Ambrose sang: Lili Marlene.