When we first covered Rhonda Fleming and Jane Russell, we had no idea that we'd be covering each member of The Four Girls singing group, until we met Connie Haines. The three put me in touch with the fourth member, Beryl Davis. There have also been requests from readers to learn more about her, and we are glad to introduce another singing great who is still going strong.-Ed.

If anyone was ever destined to be a Big Band singer, it must have been Beryl Davis. She was the daughter of English band leader Harry Davis and was born during one of his tours. Many of her formative years were spent traveling with the Oscar Rabin-Harry Davis Band. Beryl became the featured singer in her father's band. She loved Big Band jazz and began to emulate the styles of American singers like Ella Fitzgerald. She developed into the premier British Big Band singer touring Europe with Stephane Grapelli, Django Reinhardt, George Shearing, Ted Heath and many others.

Glenn Miller discovered Beryl in London and enlisted her to sing for the highly acclaimed Army Air Force Orchestra. Beryl became the only British civilian ever officially attached to the Eighth Air Force, taking her orders directly from General James Doolittle. Beryl's many shows with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and Johnny Desmond and the Crew Chiefs, made her the number one favorite singer of American Forces.

Bob Hope heard her records and brought her to Hollywood, to make her American debut on The Bob Hope Show. She was chosen by Frank Sinatra to be his singing co-star for one year on Your Hit Parade, leading to featured spots with Benny Goodman, Vaughn Monroe, David Rose, and many others.

One of the most exciting, and for us, most meaningful, chapters of her career was when she joined her talent with three good friends, Jane Russell, Rhonda Fleming, and Connie Haines. As covered in our last issue, they recorded gospel singles (a total of sixteen) and albums that became best sellers. They also made numerous TV, stage, and nightclub appearances.

Now an American citizen, Beryl is still a valid and dynamic performer in the Big Band world today. She has made concert performances with Mel Torme, Les Brown and his Band of Renown, the Tex Beneke Band---"A Salute to Glenn Miller" series. She has had guest spots with the highly acclaimed military bands, Airmen of Note and U.S. Army Band in Washington, D.C..

Beryl was honored to have sung I'll Be Seeing You at the ground breaking ceremonies at the National World War Two Memorial in Washington, D.C., November 11, 2000. Her rendition of that song has become her vocal trademark and is always dedicated to the memory of Major Glenn Miller.