Benny Green British jazz musician, saxophonist Date of Birth: 09.12.1927 Country: Great Britain

1. Biography of Benny Green
2. Radio Career and "Jazz Ball"
3. The Lord Rockingham's XI
4. Television and Writing Career
5. Personal Life and Legacy

Biography of Benny Green

British jazz musician and saxophonist Benny Green was born on December 9, 1927, in Leeds, Yorkshire, England. Though primarily known for his public career and hosting a radio talk show, he had a passion for music from a young age. His father, David Green, who also played the saxophone, met Benny's mother, Fanny Fryer, at one of his performances in Leeds. They got married in 1926 and initially lived with David's father, a Russian immigrant, in London. Fanny went back to her hometown of Leeds for the birth of Benny but eventually returned to London with him. Benny Green attended Clipstone Street Junior School and St. Albans School.

Radio Career and "Jazz Ball"

Benny Green hosted his own program on BBC Radio 2, which aired on Sundays and was dedicated to famous musicians. Drawing stories from the Great American Songbook, Benny shared anecdotes and interesting facts about iconic jazz musicians such as Kern and Cole Porter. However, not all musicians appreciated his perspectives, with Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller expressing their dissatisfaction. For twenty years, Benny Green led a comedy segment on BBC Radio 2 and the BBC World Service called "Jazz Ball." Renowned jazz musicians participated in the show, sharing funny stories from their lives or their favorite jokes. It is worth noting that for most listeners, the names of these musicians were unfamiliar.

The Lord Rockingham's XI

In 1958, Benny Green participated in the British hit parade as Lord Rockingham's XI, representing a rock 'n' roll program called "Oh Boy!" on cable television. The novelty of their jazz-rock opus "Hoots Mon," complete with a Scottish accent, propelled it to the top of the charts for three weeks in November and December. During performances, Benny Green wore black sunglasses to protect his eyes from the studio lights, earning him the nickname "the blind saxophonist."

Television and Writing Career

From 1955, Benny Green worked regularly for the BBC. In the 1960s, he occasionally appeared on the program "Three After Six" by Associated Rediffusion's, alongside Alan Brien, Di Wells, and Robert Pitman. The evening talk show covered various current topics. In 1980, Benny contributed to the promotion of the program "Stop The Week" on Radio 4, hosted by Robert Robinson. Benny Green wrote several radio stories and scripts and also penned documentary-style histories of Hollywood musical stars. His main interest, apart from jazz, was journalism. He was a regular contributor to "Punch" magazine and various newspapers. As a fan of P.G. Wodehouse's talent, he wrote his literary biography in 1981.

Personal Life and Legacy

Benny Green married Antoinette Cannell in 1962, and they had three sons and one daughter. He passed away from cancer on June 22, 1997. His son Dominic Green published a book about his father titled "Benny Green: Words and Music" in 2003. Benny Green's contributions to the jazz scene and his entertaining radio shows left a lasting impact on the world of music and comedy.