International Sweethearts of Rhythm

[robcat2075]

The first integrated, all-female jazz band. Maybe there were many of these but it's new to me.

Sounds like they have a solid trombone section although i did not detect a soloist in what i have surveyed of this.



Several veterans of the band tell their story. I suppose there could be a movie like "A League of Their Own" about this but i don't know how one would ever cast it.

[JTeagarden]

Another noted one was Phil Spitalny and His All-Girl Orcvhestra:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Spitalny

As a kind of student of the swing era, these are the only national ones I have ever heard of. I actually remeber a recording of Tommy Dorsey telling a lame joke before performing a song that referenced Phil Spitalny, so the audience was familiar with him.

[BGuttman]

The difference between the two was that Sweethearts was supposed to be integrated, although a quick view of some of the video shows the only white musician was the bass player (who might have been a very light skinned black -- segregation was still strong at the time).

I think one of the first integrated jazz groups was Benny Goodman's quartet, with two black players and two white ones. I don't even know if Goodman integrated his band.

The two tunes I watched by the Sweethearts sounded very much like late 1930s or early 1940s tunes.

[Vegasbound]

Interesting article on the two bands mentioned

https://syncopatedtimes.com/the-interna ... m-1937-49/

[JTeagarden]

Almost forgot: Ina Ray Hutton, also quite well known in her day:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ina_Ray_Hutton