Kenneth Essex (2)

British violin initially but eventually viola player. Born 20 July 1920 in Hinckley, Leicestershire, England, UK.

In 1937, he entered the [l527847]. During World War 2 he joined [a1581813]. After the war, he was accepted by the [a=London Philharmonic Orchestra]. Shortly afterwards the [a874943] was formed and Kenneth played in their quintet dates. He was for a number of years Principal Viola of the [a=Goldsbrough Orchestra], [a=The Boyd Neel Orchestra], the [a=Royal Philharmonic Orchestra], and the [a=London Symphony Orchestra] (1955). He left the LSO to go freelance and worked extensively as a session musician from the late 1940s onwards. He did TV, film and popular music recordings including playing in the string quartet backing [a=The Beatles] on "Yesterday". He also played in Royal Variety Performances, and Eurovision Song Contests (he was in the orchestra in Brighton when [a=ABBA] won).