Helen Ward
Photo: Bob Arnold Collection
Source: From the Vaults
Born on 19 September 1916 in New York City to an Austrian immigrant, vocalist Helen Ward played piano as a young girl before pursuing voice as a teenager. She briefly attended New York University before landing her first professional position with the orchestra of Nye Mayhew.
Helen first shows up in Tom Lord's sessionography on January 16-19, 1934, with the Freddy Martin Orchestra in New York City to put up 'This Little Piggie Went to Market' (Banner 32961), 'Night on the Water' (Banner 32976), 'The Boulevard of Broken Dreams' (Banner 32071) and 'Let's Put Two and Two Together' (Banner 32071). Issues, however, are by the Ed Loyd Orchestra, as Martin used Ed Loyd for a psuedonym. Dates also differ in other sessionographies as well as Discogs. Though 'This Little Piggie Went to Market' went down on 16 January 1934, the other three were recorded on 2 February 1934. There is one other difference from Lord in that 'Night on the Water' was issued as by the Art Kahn Orchestra. Come February 13 with Enric Madriguera and his Orchestra for duets with Bob Bunch on 'Oh! The Pity of It All' (Columbia 2896-D) and Tony Sacco on 'The Spanish in My Eyes' (Columbia 2899-D).
'Let's Put Two and Two Together'
Helen Ward w Ed Loyd (Freddy Martin) and His Orchestra
2 Feb 1934 in NYC Matrix 14766-1 Banner 32071 / Melotone M 12921
Composition: Con Conrad / Sidney Mitchell / Archie Gottler
'Oh! The Pity of It All'
Helen Ward w Bob Bunch / Enric Madriguera and His Orchestra
13 Feb 1934 in NYC Matrix 152714-1 Columbia 2896-D
Composition: Spina / Burke
'Midnight the Stars and You' Helen Ward Film
From the film 'Will Osborn and His Orchestra' directed by Roy Mack
Sometime 1934 Vitaphone reel #1789
Released 1 Dec 1934 [IMDb] (other sources April 1935)
Composition: Jimmy Campbell / Reginald Connelly / Harry M. Woods
On November 20, 1934, Ward recorded with the Harry Rosenthal outfit: 'You're the Top' and 'All Through the Night' issued on Columbia 2986-D. Stats Long had taken Benny Goodman's place on those, but Ward found herself in session with Goodman's orchestra six days later to record 'I'm a Hundred Percent for You' (Columbia 2988-D). Goodman's band was Ward's main vehicle to fame. According to Lord, Ward first recorded with drummer, Gene Krupa, on 22 December 1934, with Goodman's orchestra ('Solitude'). Ward first recorded with pianist, Teddy Wilson, while with Goodman on 24 April 1936, that in a trio with Krupa. She first recorded with the Teddy Wilson Orchestra on 24 August 1936 as Vera Lane ('You Came to My Rescue' and 'Here’s Love in Your Eye'). Ward would use Vera Lane as a psuedonym again in 1946. Lord has Helen putting up titles as Harriet Kaye in November of 1936 with Larry Kent & His Orchestra ('One Never Knows, Does One?' and 'Who's That Knockin' At My Heart'). This is disputed, however, by Goodman expert, David Fletcher. (If Fletcher is correct, that would make those titles on 'The Complete Helen Ward On Columbia' below by Haye rather than Ward.) Also principle to Ward's career was Harry James. Helen first recorded with James with the Teddy Wilson Orchestra with James at trumpet on 23 April 1937.
'You're the Top' Helen Ward w Harry Rosenthal and His Orchestra
20 Nov 1934 in NYC Matrix 16347-1 Columbia 2986-D
Composition: Cole Porter
'I'm a Hundred Percent For You'
Helen Ward w Benny Goodman and His Music Hall Orchestra
26 Nov 1934 in NYC Matrix CO 16364-1 Columbia 2988-D
Trumpet: Pee Wee Erwin / Jerry Neary / Art Sylvester
Trombone: Red Ballard / Jack Lacey Clarinet: Goodman
Alto sax: Hymie Schertzer / Toots Mondello Tenor sax: Arthur Rollini
Piano: Frank Froeba Guitar: George Van Eps
Bass: Harry Goodman Drums: Sam Weiss
Composition: Ben Oakland / Irving Mills / Mitchell Parish
'Dixieland Band' Helen Ward w Benny Goodman and His Orchestra
15 Jan 1935 in NYC Matrix CO 16638 Columbia 36109
Trumpet: Pee Wee Erwin / alph Muzillo / Jerry Neary
Trombone: Jack Lacey / Red Ballard Clarinet: Goodman
Sax: Hymie Schertzer / Toots Mondello / Dick Clark / Arthur Rollini
Piano: Frank Froeba Guitar: George Van Eps
Bass: Harry Goodman Drums: Gene Krupa
Music: Bernie Hanighen Lyrics: Johnny Mercer
'Get Rhythm In Your Feet' Helen Ward w Benny Goodman and His Orchestra
25 June 1935 in NYC Matrix 92520-2 Victor 2508
Trumpet: Bunny Berigan / Nate Kazebier / Jerry Neary
Trombone: Red Ballard / Jack Lacey Clarinet: Goodman
Alto sax: Toots Mondello / Hymie Schertzer Tenor sax: Arthur Rollini / Dick Clark
Piano: Frank Froeba Guitar: George Van Eps
Bass: Harry Goodman Drums: Gene Krupa
Composition: J. Russel Robinson / Bill Livingston
'You Came to My Rescue' Helen Ward as Vera Lane w the Teddy Wilson Orchestra
24 Aug 1936 in Los Angeles Matrix LA1158-A Brunswick 7739
Trumpet: Chris Griffin Clarinet: Benny Goodman
Tenor sax: Vido Musso Vibes: Lionel Hampton
Piano: Wilson Guitar: Allan Reuss
Bass: Harry Goodman Drums: Gene Krupa
Composition: Lee Robin / Ralph Rainger
'Here's Love In Your Eyes' Helen Ward as Vera Lane w the Teddy Wilson Orchestra
24 Aug 1936 in Los Angeles Matrix LA1159-A Brunswick 7739
Trumpet: Chris Griffin Clarinet: Benny Goodman
Tenor sax: Vido Musso Vibes: Lionel Hampton
Piano: Wilson Guitar: Allan Reuss
Bass: Harry Goodman Drums: Gene Krupa
Composition: Lee Robin / Ralph Rainger
'How Am I To Know?' Helen Ward w the Teddy Wilson Orchestra
23 April 1937 in NYC Matrix B21036-2 Brunswick 7893
Trumpet: Harry James Clarinet: Buster Bailey
Alto sax: Johnny Hodges Bass sax: Harry Carney
Piano: Wilson Guitar: Allan Reuss
Bass: John Kirby Drums: Cozy Cole
Composition: Jack King / Dorothy Parker
Helen hung with Goodman into 1937, their last of not a few sessions on April 29 during a radio broadcast from the Make Believe Ballroom in New York City: 'You Turned the Tables On Me'. She would also record with Goodman on July 22, 1946, in NYC during a 'Benny Goodman Show' (#4) radio broadcast: 'Linger in My Arms'. Later sessions with Goodman occurred on a number of occasions in the fifties.
After Goodman's outfit Helen found herself in a couple of sessions with Krupa before joining the Bob Crosby Orchestra, her first four sessions with him at 'Camel Caravan' radio broadcasts in New York City in 1939 to perform such as 'I've Got the World on a String' and 'It's Funny to Everyone But Me'. Ward first recorded with James' own operation on May 20, 1941, in NYC yielding 'Daddy'. James and Ward stayed together until their last sessions for the CBS 'Chesterfield Time' radio broadcasts in Hollywood in spring of 1944.
'I'm Feeling High and Happy' Helen Ward w the Gene Krupa Orchestra
15 April 1938 in NYC Matrix 22734-1 Brunswick 8123
Trumpet: Tom Gonsoulin / Tommy Di Carlo / Dave Schultze
Trombone: Charles McCamish / Bruce Squires
Alto sax: Murray Williams (clarinet) / George Siravo
Tenor sax: Vido Musso / Carl Biesecker
Piano: Milt Raskin Guitar: Ray "Remo" Biondi
Bass: Horace Rollins Drums: Krupa
Music: Rube Bloom Lyrics: Ted Koehler
'I've Got the World On a String' Helen Ward w the Bob Crosby Orchestra
4 July 1939 in NYC Radio broadcast: CBS 'Camel Caravan'
See 'Suddenly It's 1939' on Giants of Jazz GoJ 1032 / 1984
Trumpet: Billy Butterfield / Zeke Zarchy / Shorty Sherock
Trombone: Warren Smith / Ray Conniff Clarinet: Irving Fazola
Alto sax: Joe Kearns / Bill Stegmeyer
Tenor sax: Gil Rodin / Eddie Miller (clarinet)
Piano: Joe Sullivan Guitar: Nappy Lamare
Bass: Bob Haggart Drums: Ray Bauduc
Music: Rube Bloom Lyrics: Ted Koehler
'Oh! You Crazy Moon' Helen Ward w the Bob Crosby Orchestra
11 or 18 July 1939 in NYC Radio broadcast: CBS 'Camel Caravan'
See 'The Summer of '39' on Giants of Jazz GoJ 1037 / 1985
Trumpet: Billy Butterfield / Zeke Zarchy / Shorty Sherock
Trombone: Warren Smith / Ray Conniff Clarinet: Irving Fazola
Alto sax: Joe Kearns / Bill Stegmeyer
Tenor sax: Gil Rodin / Eddie Miller (clarinet)
Piano: Joe Sullivan Guitar: Nappy Lamare
Bass: Bob Haggart Drums: Ray Bauduc
Composition: Jimmy Van Heusen / Johnny Burke
'Daddy' Helen Ward w the Harry James Orchestra
20 May 1941 in NYC Matrix CO 30507-1 Columbia 36171
Composition: Bobby Troup
'You're My Favorite Memory' Helen Ward w the Teddy Wilson Orchestra
31 July 1942 in NYC Matrix CO 33083-1 Columbia 36737
Trumpet: Emmett Berry Trombone: Benny Morton Clarinet: Edmond Hall
Piano: Wilson
Bass: Johnny Williams Drums: J.C. Heard
Composition: Wilson / Pat Johnson
'Where or When' Helen Ward w the Harry James Orchestra
4 Jan 1944 in NYC CBS radio broadcast: 'Chesterfield Time'
Music: Richard Rodgers Lyrics: Lorenz Hart For the 1937 musical 'Babes in Arms'
'Shoo Shoo Baby' Helen Ward w the Harry James Orchestra
16 March 1944 in NYC CBS radio broadcast: 'Chesterfield Time'
Composition: Phil Moore
'My Heart Isn't In It' Helen Ward w the Harry James Orchestra
21 March 1944 in NYC CBS radio broadcast: 'Chesterfield Time'
As a major jazz vocalist Ward graced many a big name band, among them those of Eddie Condon, Joe Sullivan, Hal McIntyre, Billy May and Red Norvo. She can be found on recordings with Wild Bill Davidson made in 1952 as well.
'I Can't Give You Anything But Love' Helen Ward w the Wild Bill Davison Band
April 1952 in NYC Pax 6004 / Jazztone J1267
Cornet: Davison Trombone: Eph Resnick Clarinet: Joe Barry
Piano: Dean Newberry
Bass: Charlie Treager Drums: Eddie Phyfe
Music: Jimmy McHugh Lyrics: Dorothy Fields
Helen had originally recorded with clarinetist, Peanuts Hucko, on occasions in 1949 with Condon's outfit. She put away titles with Hucko's band in 1956 and 1957. After a couple more sessions with Goodman in 1957 and 1958 she vanished for more than a decade before teaming up with Billy May and His Orchestra in Hollywood sometime 1969 or 1970. She then disappeared again until reemerging in 1979 to sing in nightclubs in New York City including the Waldorf Astoria. She that year recorded the album titled 'The Helen Ward Song Book Vol. I' during seven sessions from 8 January to 11 August, finishing with 'S Wonderful' and 'Sweet Georgia Brown'.
'Keepin' Out of Mischief Now' Helen Ward w Bucky Pizzarelli (guitar)
27 March 1979 in NYC
See 'The Helen Ward Song Book Vol. I' on Lyricon LRI 1001 / 1980
Cornet: Ruby Braff Trombone: George Masso Tenor sax: Al Cohn
Piano: Tony Monte Drums: Bobby Rosengarden
Music: Fats Waller 1932 Lyrics: Andy Razaf
The title of Ward's album above indicates that more was to follow, but Helen disappeared yet again and recorded nothing more until her death on 21 April 1998 in Arlington, Virginia.
Sources & References for Helen Ward:
VF History (notes)
Scott Yanow (All Music)
Interviews: 26 Feb 1993 (Adventures in the Kingdom of Swing / American Masters Digital Archive)
Recordings: Albums: The Helen Ward Song Book Vol. I (Lyricon LRI 1001 / 1980)
Recordings: Catalogs: Discogs Music Brainz RYM SHS
Recordings: Compilations:
The Complete Helen Ward On Columbia (including earliest recordings / Collectors' Choice Music CCM-155-2 / 2000)
Recordings: Sessions:
Steven Abrams (Banner series 32500-33000 / 1932-34)
Steven Abrams (Conqueror series 8000-8500 / 1932-35)
DAHR (1934-42)
Henry König (Banner 1930-34)
Tom Lord: leading 9 of 121 sessions 1934-79
Further Reading: IMDb
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