Freddy Gardner

about

Frederick James "Freddy" Gardner (1910 – 26 July 1950) was a leading British jazz and dance band musician during the 1930s and 1940s. Gardner was born on the 23rd December 1910. His father sold artist's materials, while his mother was a dressmaker. Self-taught, he took up the saxophone at the age of fiteen, to help to alleviate asthma. After minimal coaching he formed the semi-professional New Colorado Band in 1928, and a year later, while working as an office clerk, entered the band in a contest at Chelsea Town Hall, and won. He was spotted by the founding editor of Melody Maker magazine, who was distributing the prizes, and a year later secured his first regular professional position. In 1933, now married, Gardner was taken under the wing of Ray Noble and recorded with the New Mayfair Orchestra. He was a virtuoso not only on clarinet and alto saxophone, but also on the whole saxophone family. He played in the top London clubs when working with Sidney Lipton's Orchestra; later with Bert Firman's band, and with Canadian-born Billy Bissett, who spent three years in England from 1936, playing at the Mayfair Hotel, London. Gardner became a prolific record session player, doubling on all the reeds, although his main instrument was alto sax. When Duke Ellington came to London for the first time, Gardner played to Ellington's accompaniment at a club in Wardour Street, to the admiration of the Duke's regular saxophonist, Otto Hardiwcke. Gardner led small groups in 1936/37, on t

top songs

albums

All Time Classics

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Sweet And Hot

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Gardner, Freddy: Freddy Gardner (1939-1950)

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Great Guitar Instrumentals

The Very Best Of

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The Fabulous Oldies - Wish Me Luck Hits Of The Blitz Cd 1

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The Essential Collection (Digitally Remastered)

Archive '35-'50

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Grimriper2u@yahoo.com

Freddy Gardner and Friends

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Rhythm Crazy: Popular Music from the 1920's

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The Best of Freddy Gardner

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