Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Henry Robert Hall was born on May 2, 1898 in Peckham, South London, England. He won a scholarship to Trinity College of Music where he studied trumpet, piano, harmony and counterpoint. His first job was as copyist at the head office of the Salvation Army for which he wrote several marches. During World War I he served with the Royal Field Artillery, and played trumpet and piano in the regimental band.

His musical career had a slow start but eventually he was engaged by the London Midland and Scottish Railway to take charge of music throughout their chain of hotels. 1932 had him succeeding Jack Payne as the band leader of the BBC Dance Orchestra. That year he recorded the songs Here Comes the Bogeyman and Teddy Bears’ Picnic with his BBC Orchestra.

He was featured in the documentary BBC The Voice of Britain in 1935 and the following year made his first feature film and was guest orchestra conductor on the Queen Mary’s maiden voyage. During World War II, Hall played for the troops, and gave concerts and shows in factories all over Britain. After the war he developed his show business interests, becoming something of an agent and producer. He hosted Henry Hall’s Guest Night on the radio and later on television and helped launch the television programme Face the Music.

Ceasing regular broadcasting in 1964, he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, CBE, in 1970. Bsndleader Henry Hall transitioned in Eastbourne, Sussex, on October 28, 1989.

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