Helen Ward, whose supple voice and sense of swing contributed to the early success of the Benny Goodman band, has died aged 82. She toured and recorded with Goodman's band from 1934 to 1936 and rejoined him for performances and recordings after the Second World War.

Ward, who lived in Falls Church, Virginia, was born in New York in 1916. She performed in several bands and on radio programs in the city before Goodman heard her at an audition.

She sang with the band on the radio program Let's Dance from December 1934 to May 1935, and recorded many songs, including Goody Goody, It's Been So Long, and the million-seller These Foolish Things.

Ward later performed with bands led by Hal McIntyre and Harry James, and recorded with James, Teddy Wilson, Gene Krupa, Bob Crosby, and Red Norvo, among others.

After retiring in the late 1940s, she rejoined Goodman for tours and recordings in 1953, 1957, and 1958. In 1979, she came out of retirement and performed at clubs in New York.

She is survived by her husband, Bill Savory.