Ambrose (bandleader)

Benjamin Baruch Ambrose , known professionally as Ambrose or Bert Ambrose, was an English bandleader and violinist. Ambrose became the leader of a highly acclaimed British dance band, Bert Ambrose amp His Orchestra, in the 1930s.

Ambrose was born in Warsaw in 1896, when it was part of the Russian Empire. After a time the family moved to London. They were Jewish, his father being registered as a Dealer in rags in the 1911 UK census, where Ambrose was named as Barnett . He began playing the violin while young, and travelled to New York City with his aunt. He began playing professionally, first for Emil Coleman at New Yorks Reisenwebers restaurant, then in the Palais Royals big band. After making a success of a stint as bandleader, at the age ofhe was asked to put together and lead his own fifteenpiece band. After a dispute with his employer, he moved his band to another venue, where they enjoyed considerable popularity.

Source: Wikipedia