Helen Ward
One of the finest vocalists of the swing era, Helen Ward possessed a very appealing sound and was always swinging. Although she originally retired quite early and at the peak of her fame, fortunately she returned to music many times in later years.
Ward took piano lessons while quite young and was singing as a teenager. She performed on radio station WOR in New York in 1933, became a regular at NBC, and was hired as Benny Goodman's singer for the Let's Dance radio show in 1934. For the next two years, Ward was a regular attraction with Goodman's Orchestra, staying with BG as he became the most successful bandleader in the world.
Ward recorded frequently with Goodman; "Goody Goody" was her hit and other classic recordings include "It's Been So Long," "All My Life," "Too Good to Be True," "These Foolish Things," and "You Turned the Tables on Me." Unlike with many other female band singers, her vocals did not slow down the music's momentum. After marrying Albert Marx in late 1936, Helen Ward retired from active performing at the age of just 20, although she continued recording on a fairly regular basis including with Teddy Wilson and Joe Sullivan, and the big bands of Gene Krupa, Bob Crosby (1939), and Harry James.
Ward became more active in the early '40s but never gained back her previous fame. She worked with Hal McIntyre, Red Norvo, Wild Bill Davison (1952), Benny Goodman (an ill-fated 1953 tour), and Peanuts Hucko (1956-1957) plus other swing-era players. After spending a long period out of music, Helen Ward became active for a time (starting in the late '70s) and recorded a new album in 1979, The Helen Ward Songbook, Vol. 1 (Lyricon); there never was a Vol. 2.
© Scott Yanow /TiVo
Discography
13 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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Nostalgic Memories-The Very Best Of Helen Ward-Vol. 130
Jazz - Released by RP-DSP on 16 nov. 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Queen of the Big Band Swing
Jazz - Released by Retrospective on 1 jun. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea
Jazz - Released by Black & Partner Licenses LLC on 12 apr. 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
GOODMAN, Benny: Sing Me a Swing Song (1935-1936)
Traditionele jazz en dixieland - Released by Naxos on 19 mrt. 2002
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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With a Little Bit of Swing
Helen Ward, Peanuts Hucko and His Orchestra
Jazz - Released by Music Manager on 7 feb. 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Helen Ward - Music History
Jazz - Released by Vintage Jukebox on 12 jul. 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
What A Little Moonlight Can Do
Jazz - Released by Diamond Days on 5 mei 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Larry Clinton in Hi Fi
Larry Clinton and his Orchestra, Helen Ward
Jazz - Released by Flare Records on 29 mrt. 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Golden Jazz Oldies
Lounge - Released by Music Manager on 3 jul. 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
All Through The Night
Jazz - Released by Diamond Days on 5 mei 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Benny Goodman, Vol. 21 (You Turned the tables on Me)
Jazz - Released by SINETONE AMR on 24 dec. 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo