Riveted by Music
I was about nineteen, newly married and very much in love, when I happened to pass by a music store one day, and was stopped in my tracks by the most glorious sound I had ever heard. I stood there on the sidewalk, leaning against the plate glass window for support, with my eyes closed; transfixed and impervious to impatient shoppers trying to pass by me, until the last strains of “I Only Have Eyes For You” had died away, and I could breathe freely again. Then I went in and pleaded for the entire 78 rpm record to be replayed … over and over again! Never had I heard anything so exquisite that it almost hurt, and it was a blessing that my husband, a talented musician himself, was soon hooked to the same extent that I was.
He had come home from the war in Malta and North Africa to join a commercial airline, but still played in the busy, very popular family orchestra on a regular basis. Sadly, only three weeks after we became engaged, his father died, very suddenly, and I was thrown in at the deep end to take his place at the piano. Needless to say, every "Freddy Gardner" (as we referred to those melodies) was unfailingly included in our repertoire, and it was fortunate that the two of us, as well as the sax player, could play by ear, because, in any case, it was not possible to buy the sheet music in Johannesburg at the time.
So we played on, rejoicing in the remote possibility that no other band knew “I’m in the Mood for Love” or “Valse Vanité” as yet, and blissfully unaware that we could very likely have been infringing on copyrights. We reveled in the almost deafening applause at the end of each set; at the same time yearning to sound more like Peter Yorke’s orchestra, the shining star of which was Freddy Gardner — of course! When, in time, we were able to splurge on our first record player, we would occasionally add one or two of our favourite classical recordings to our collection, but no matter what else we bought, whatever “Gardner” was available topped the list. My daughter, a toddler then, and now a grandmother, vividly recalls the unmistakable sound of that saxophone.
An Incredible Improviser
Gardner — said to have been comparable to Rudy Powell, Benny Carter, Alix Combelle, Russell Procope, Ken Mackintosh, or Willie Smith — was the most incredible improviser. He had performed regularly over the radio in Britain, but, living thousands of miles away as we did, it was not until after he began to play and record with a larger ensemble that included in its ranks trombonist and future bandleader, Ted Heath, that I finally heard him on that memorable day, and almost swooned with ecstasy. How he could make the melody soar to thrilling heights, seeming to turn somersaults in the air, before it swooped down again to take one’s breath away!
Article comments
1 - Melinda Terblanche
My husband was so excited to find this article that he immediately emailed our parents to send them the link. They are absolutely besotted with Freddy Gardner, and now we know where we can buy records or disks for future birthdays.
2 - Jason Fraser
I had not heard of this gentleman until I read your story, and I'm delighted to tell you that I have found a link on You Tube. Must have listened to it a dozen times since last night, and now having re-read your story, I know exactly what you meant by melody soaring to "thrilling heights, seeming to turn somersaults in the air, before it swooped down again to take one’s breath away!"
3 - Simon Terblanche
Re: The comment posted by my wife, Melinda.
I'm so hooked on Gardner, myself, that I'm posting a note on Facebook. How extraordinary to find photos and links to a writer with such close ties to his mother. Someone who has taken the trouble, after so many years, to honour a lady who became more to her than just a pen-friend.
4 - Craig
I was 13 year old learning saxophone in 1983, when a teacher asked if I had ever heard of Freddy Gardner? he gave me a 33 rpm record of Body and soul to listen to. I played it a few times and I was hooked. I dubbed the record over to tape and listened over and over. WOW the man was a genius on Sax! I had never heard such playing before!
I have always struggled finding information on Freddy Gardner. Thank you for information.
5 - Marie Warder
What a lovely story! Thank you for sharing it. - How did you find this article so long after it was published?
6 - Andrea
My father is 75 and used to play the saxophone, he is a big fan of Freddy. We are going for a holiday to the U.K and France and he would like to visit his grave. He seems to think he is buried in France, but I have been unable to find his name at any cemetary in France on the internet. We will be travelling over from Australia so would appreciate any information so his trip is not in vain.
Thanks
7 - Marie Warder
Hi, Andrea, I very much doubt that he is buried in France, but, just to be sure, I have written to one of his relatives, and if I get any more info I'll post it here for you to see.
8 - Marie Warder
Update for Andrea.
Freddy is buried at Willesden Cemetery in NW London England.
9 - Andrea
Thank you so much Marie for responding so quickly. My father was thrilled when I rang and told him. It's a wonderful article and I will be sending it to my father to enjoy. We're looking forward to our trip to the U.K.and your valuable information saved us a fruitless search in France! THANK YOU
10 - Bernard Arnold
So good to hear about Freddy, have been a fan since the 1940s.He was without doubt the Worlds most gifted sax player ever. i can
remember in my army days listening every Sunday to the BBc Light Prog, with Freddy and the Peter Yorke orch; Oh Happy Days