Jay Whidden

Born: [circa 19th] July 1890, Brooklyn, New York, USA Died: 17th February 1968 American-born dance band leader & violinist who first found fame in the UK in the 1920's, leading jazz-orientated bands at London's 'Metropole' and 'Carlton' hotels. He also worked closely with lyricist/composer Con Conrad, whom he befriended early in his career in America. Shortly after arriving in London the two appeared in George Grossmith's review "Everybody’s Doing It" at the Empire Theatre, Leicester Square, London. They eventually went on to create stage productions together. In his youth, Whidden lost the finger-tips of his left hand whilst working as a docker in New York.