Ambrose & His Mayfair Hotel Orchestra - Willow Weep For Me

Bert (né Benjamin Baruch) Ambrose (1896-1971) was an English bandleader and violinist. His professional name was officially Bert Ambrose, but he was universally known as Ambrose. Soon after he was taken to the USA by his aunt he began playing professionally, first for Emil Coleman at New York's Reisenweber's restaurant, then in the Palais Royal's big band. In 1922 he returned to London, where he was engaged by the Embassy Club for two years, before walking out on his employer in order to take up a lucrative job in New York. After one year he returned to the Embassy Club until 1927. Subsequently accepted an offer by the Mayfair Hotel, with a contract that included broadcasting. Ambrose stayed at the Mayfair for six years. This period also saw the musical development of the band, partly as a result of Ambrose's hiring of first-class musicians. In 1933 Ambrose was asked to accept a cut in pay at the Mayfair; refusing, he went back to the Embassy Club, and after three years there (and a national tour), he rejected American offers and returned to the Mayfair Hotel in 1936. He then went into partnership with Jack Harris (an American bandleader), and in 1937 they bought a club together (Ciro's Club). For 3 months they even employed Art Tatum there. Ambrose then worked at the Café de Paris until the outbreak of World War II, when he again went on tour. Among his vocalists were Sam Browne, Elsie Carlisle, Denny Dennis. After a short period back at the Mayfair Hotel, he retired from performing in 1940. Ambrose's retirement was not permanent, however, and he formed and toured with the Ambrose Octet, and dabbled in management. In the 1950's, musical tastes changed and he went through a difficult period. His situation was saved, however, by his discovery of the singer Kathy Kirby (b. 1940), whose career he promoted. It was during the recording of one of Kirby's television programmes that Ambrose collapsed, dying later the same night in London. This outstanding record was made in 1933.