Singing Career Marred By English Climate

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 233, 30 June 1939, Page 14

Singing Career Marred By English Climate

MISS MAVIS EDMONDS, a New Zealand girl who went to England to embark on a singing career, is returning, even though she has had success, because of the English climate. . Four weeks after landing in England, she gave a series of broadcasts with Charlie Kunz. They went so well that Billy Reid engaged her as vocalist with his band, and she toured England and Scotland as the highlight of his variety act. This led to recording and she made Decca records with Sam Browne. She found that harmony singing had a fascination, and so accepted an opportunity to join the famous Rhythm Sisters. As one of the Rhythm Sisters, she broadcast with some prominent bands, including those conducted by Jack Hylton, Geraldo, Joe Loss and Fred Hartley.. Next she sang ih three films, but in working for the camera she missed the personal contact with the audience, and after her third film she accepted an invitation to siug solo numbers in Egypt. ' Soon afterwards Miss Edwards went on a tour with Turner Layton, of Layton and Johnson, which extended to Brussels and Paris. There were offers from various Parisian cabarets,.but she decided in favour of singing in London with Carroll Gibbons at the Savoy, and later with Eddie Carroll. Miss Edwards’s throat trouble did not affect her voice, but doctors decided that the trouble was due to susceptibility to the English climate, and that she had better come back to New Zealand before any harm was done.