The Beryl Davis Story

Oscar Rabin formed his first band with friend Harry Davis, The Romany Five in 1922. They could be seen in those days at the Palais de Dance in Derby England. Oscar played violin but over the next decade he formed a full size dance band in which he has now taken up playing the Bass Saxophone

It was Harry Davis of the partnership who fronted this band, he played Guitar, acted as MC, while Oscar took care of the business side of the band, played bass sax and preferred to lose himself amongst the sax section. He was short, rounded, balding and a shy man where as Harry was Tall dark and Handsome and was the obvious partner to front the band

Oscar Rabin with violin Beryl as a teenager Harry had two daughters Beryl and Lisa. I've not a lot of knowledge of Lisa but as for Beryl well she was a westcountry girl born in Plymouth on the 16th March 1924. Around 1932 when she was an eight year old, she was already singing and dancing with the Oscar Rabin's band at weddings and barmitsvah around the west end of London. It would seem that the band had plenty of this type of work and young Beryl was working regular. She said that her tap dancing was paramount in those days, so everything was sing one, dance two. She was paid two shilling a show and more often than not turned up to school smudged with make up from the night before having not got home until midnight. She was not a good student

1939 Hatchett's Restaurant was obviously the place where the Hachett's Swingtette band was formed which featured violinist Stephan Grappelli. Beryl sang with this band many times, such songs that sound great today: - Ting a Long. Oh. Johnny , Scatterbrain. Bluebird in the Moonlight and many many more.

She also sang with Geraldo and appeared on many radio broadcast. During the war years Beryl appeared with the British Band of the Allied Expeditionary Forces lead by Regimental Sergeant Major George Melachino as did many other great singers of the day such as Gloria Brent, Dorothy Carless (sister of Carole Carr) Anne Lenner, Bette Roberts, Rita Williams (Later the girl singer in the Billy Cotton Band for many years) Carole Car also (who you'll remember became the new forces Sweetheart after Vera Lynn's programme on the BBC had finished . Our own Jean Metcalfe would compare many of these shows. .

During the 40 Beryl was heard regularly singing on the AEFP of the BBC with such Orchestra as Sam Donahues. The Sky Rockets, The Squadronaires, Robert Farnans Concert band of the AEF and of course the Glenn Miller Orchestra of the AEF.

In 1947 Beryl left these shore and emigrated to the United States of America. The Oscar Rabin band rang a special show for her where she sang 'You made Me Love You' This was two much for her father Harry who broke down emotionally and was a total mess. Beryl says to this day she has a real problem singing that song.

Harry followed his daughter in 1951 ending the partnership with Oscar Rabin Band. Harry was born in Liverpool England in 1901 and died in Los Angeles in 1997 at the age of 96. Today Beryl is still singing and was invited to England recently to sing with the Glenn Miller Orchestra UK at a special Glenn Miller Concert. at the Glenn Miller Museum at Twinwood. Bedford.UK where Glenn flew from on his last flight 15th December 1944

Beryl Beryl today Frank Sinatra and Beryl Davis

Beryl Davis meets Django

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