The Benson Orchestra Of Chicago<br /><br />"Biddy"<br /><br />Victor 18718<br /><br />1920<br /><br />Song by J. S. Zamecnik<br /><br />The Benson Orchestra of Chicago was founded in 1920 by cellist Edgar A. Benson, but he was not the ensemble's music director. He was too busy running a number of bands in the Chicago area to give sole attention to any one ensemble. <br /><br />He hired many musicians who later rose to fame or at least made wonderful recordings--they include pianist Don Bestor, clarinet player Volly De Faut, and saxophonist Frank Trumbauer.<br /><br />In the early 1920s, the Benson musicians were led by pianist Roy Bargy. <br /><br />By 1925, Don Bestor was musical director.<br /><br />Alto and soprano sax: Matthew Amaturo.<br /><br />Tenor sax: Thomas Thatcher.<br /><br />Bass sax: William Foeste.<br /><br />Clarinet: Matthew Amaturo.<br /><br />Trombone: Guy Carey.<br /><br />Trumpet: Rick Adkins. <br /><br />Violin: Joe Baum.<br /><br />Piano and leader: Roy Bargy.<br /><br /><br />__________________<br /><br />Don Bestor was born on September 23, 1889, in Longford, South Dakota.<br /><br />His mother was Mrs. Carrie Bestor. His brother, A. L. Bestor, was also a musician.<br /><br />Don Bestor became a skilled piano player.<br /><br />By the age of 16, he worked as pianist with a traveling vaudeville orchestra. He later organized his own band, touring theaters in the Midwest. <br /><br />In 1922, Bestor, at age 33 years old, worked for Edgar Benson, a Chicago entrepreneur who managed dozens of dance bands and orchestras.<br /><br />Bestor remained with the Benson organization until 1925.<br /><br />For the remainder of the 1920s and early 1930s, Bestor fronted his own orchestra, playing dance clubs and hotel ballrooms across the eastern United States, and recording for Brunswick.<br /><br />He died in Metamora on January 13, 1970, at the age of 80.
