FM
Biography
Frederick James "Freddy" Gardner (1910 – 26 July 1950) was a leading British jazz and dance band musician during the 1930s and 1940s.
Gardner was born on the 23rd December 1910. His father sold artist's materials, while his mother was a dressmaker. Self-taught, he took up the saxophone at the age of fiteen, to help to alleviate asthma. After minimal coaching he formed the semi-professional New Colorado Band in 1928, and a year later, while working as an office clerk, entered the band in a contest at Chelsea Town Hall, and won. He was spotted by the founding editor of Melody Maker magazine, who was distributing the prizes, and a year later secured his first regular professional position. In 1933, now married, Gardner was taken under the wing of Ray Noble and recorded with the New Mayfair Orchestra.
