The Swing Shift Shuffle is a radio program of swing, big band, jazz, boogie woogie and other popular music from the 1930's and 40's that airs every Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. (US Central Time) on WEVL 89.9 FM in Memphis, Tennessee, with a live webcast at wevl.org. In addition to the radio show, this blog is dedicated to all aspects of the Swing Era, including art, automobiles, cartoons, comics, history, movies, music, news, science, technology, and anything else that happened during that time. It also includes announcements about events in the Memphis/Mid-South area related to the Swing Era, such as classic movies, concerts, dances, lectures, etc. If you see something that fits the description, send it to me at tim@wevl.org. If you would like more information about the radio show, just go to the Radio Show FAQ page.

Monday, December 29, 2014

Ivy Benson And Her All Girl Orchestra

Ivy Benson
The words "Spice Girls" and "Swing Era" are not the most common association, but former Spice Girl, Melanie C, is making sure one story of the Swing Era is not forgotten.  She presented a BBC documentary on Ivy Benson and Her All Girl Orchestra, one of the leading acts in the UK during the 1940s, and will present a second documentary on the band in 2015. 
Fifty years before Victoria, Mel B, Emma, Geri and myself were talking about Girl Power, Ivy and the members of her all-girl band were risking their lives entertaining Allied troops in war-torn Europe, and fighting the battle of the sexes back at home.

While I missed the documentary, the item has made me start looking for recordings by Ms. Benson and her band.   
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