Search the Collection

Ivy Benson

(1914-1993), Musician; founding member of All Girls Band

Sitter in 2 portraits
In 1940 Benson formed her twenty piece 'All Girl Band' and during her career over 500 girls passed under her baton. First heard on the radio in 1943 and subsequently was made resident 'house band' by the BBC. The band appeared during World war II at Covent Garden Opera House and was invited to play in liberated Berlin in the Victory celebrations. They spent the next three years there and entertaining troops in the Middle East and Vietnam. Benson combined leading the band with playing the saxophone, clarinet and trombone. Best known for her signature tune Lady Be Good first used in 1944.

Tell us More

List Thumbnail

Ivy Benson, by Count Zichy, for Camera Press: London: UK - NPG x194229

Ivy Benson

by Count Zichy, for Camera Press: London: UK
vintage print, 1950s
NPG x194229

Ivy Benson and her All Girls Band, by Harry Hammond - NPG x15517

Ivy Benson and her All Girls Band

by Harry Hammond
bromide print, 1952
NPG x15517

Category

Groups

Place

Links

Tell us more back to top

Can you tell us more about this person? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.

If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. If you wish to license an image, please use our Rights and Images service.

Please note that we cannot provide valuations.

We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.

What can you tell us?close

There are occasions when we are unsure of the identity of a sitter or artist, their life dates, occupation or have not recorded their family relationships. Sometimes we have not recorded the date of a portrait. Do you have specialist knowledge or a particular interest about any aspect of the portrait or sitter or artist that you can share with us? We would welcome any information that adds to and enhances our information and understanding about a particular portrait, sitter or artist.

Citationclose

How do you know this? Please could you let us know your source of information.

* Permission to publish (Privacy information)
Privacy Informationclose

The National Portrait Gallery will NOT use your information to contact you or store for any other purpose than to investigate or display your contribution. By ticking permission to publish you are indicating your agreement for your contribution to be shown on this collection item page. Please note your email address will not be displayed on the page nor will it be used for any marketing material or promotion of any kind.

Please ensure your comments are relevant and appropriate. Your contributions must be polite and with no intention of causing trouble. All contributions are moderated.

Your Emailclose

Contributions are moderated. We'll need your email address so that we can follow up on the information provided and contact you to let you know when your contribution has been published.