14 Facts About Beryl Bryden

Beryl Audley Bryden was an English jazz singer, who played with Chris Barber and Lonnie Donegan.

Beryl Bryden was born in Norwich, Norfolk, England, on 11 May 1920 and was the only child of Amos and Elsie Beryl Bryden.

Beryl Bryden became a member of the National Rhythm Club when she was 17 and became secretary of the local branch in 1941.

Beryl Bryden was a friend of Black Anna Hannant who ran the Jolly Butchers pub in Ber Street, Norwich.

Beryl Bryden worked with Mick Mulligan and George Melly at London jazz venues such as the Cook's Ferry Inn in Walthamstow and became a supporter of visiting American jazz acts when the Musicians Union ban was lifted and befriended amongst others, Buck Clayton, Louis Armstrong, and Bud Freeman with whom she recorded.

In May 1949 Bryden formed her own group called Beryl's Back-Room Boys and later worked with Mike Daniels.

Beryl Bryden later graduated to the Monty Sunshine jazz band covering Bessie Smith, and long-term favourite "Coney Island Washboard Blues" which demonstrated her washboard technique.

Beryl Bryden remained active at the end of the British trad jazz boom, and became particularly popular in Northern Europe, playing with the Ted Easton Jazz Band and The Piccadilly Six.

Beryl Bryden remained active into the 1990s, playing with the Metropolitan Jazz Band, Digby Fairweather, Nat Gonella and her own Blue Boys.

Beryl Bryden made her last recording with Gonella in 1998, shortly before her death.

Beryl Bryden was renowned for her flamboyant gowns and sculptured blonde wigs.

Beryl Bryden travelled widely and practised her hobbies of photography and deep-sea diving.

Beryl Bryden lived for many years at 166, Gloucester Terrace, Paddington in London.

Beryl Bryden died from Lymphoma, aged 78, at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, on 14 July 1998.