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Boswell Sisters

The Boswell Sisters were an American close harmony singing trio of the jazz and swing eras, consisting of three sisters: Martha Boswell (June 9, 1905 – July 2, 1958), Connie Boswell (later spelled "Connee", December 3, 1907 – October 11, 1976), and Helvetia "Vet" Boswell (May 20, 1911 – November 12, 1988). Hailing from uptown New Orleans, the group blended intricate harmonies and song arrangements featuring effects such as scat, instrumental imitation, ‘Boswellese’ gibberish, tempo and meter changes, major/minor juxtaposition, key changes, and incorporation of sections from other songs. They attained national prominence in the United States in the 1930s during the twilight of the Jazz Age and the onset of the Great Depression.

After the trio split in 1936, Connie continued as a solo vocalist in radio, film, and later television for an additional quarter century. The trio's "unique singing style and ground-breaking arrangements fused 'blackness' and 'whiteness' in music," and their collaborations with "the preeminent white swing musicians of their day—the Dorsey Brothers, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Joe Venuti and Eddie Lang, Artie Shaw, Victor Young, Bunny Berigan—had a profound effect on the development of the big band sound in the 1930s." When assessing their legacy, scholars claim the Boswell Sisters "made 'real' jazz commercially viable, destigmatizing the music and opening its appreciation to the wider American public."

Birth and Death Data: Born Founded 1925, Died Ceased 1935

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1925 - 1936

Roles Represented in DAHR: Vocal group

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 26-40 of 40 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Brunswick E37113 10-in. 8/27/1931 Heebie jeebies Boswell Sisters Female vocal trio, with jazz/dance band Vocal group  
Brunswick XE37320 12-in. 10/25/1931 Gems from George White’s scandals Brunswick Orchestra [Brunswick Studio Orchestra] ; Victor Young Jazz/dance band, with female vocal trio and male vocal solos Vocal group  
Brunswick XE37321 12-in. 10/25/1931 Gems from George White’s Scandals The Brunswick Orchestra [Victor Young Orchestra] Jazz/dance band, with female vocal trio, male vocal solo, and mixed vocal ensemble Vocal group  
Brunswick E37354 10-in. 11/5/1931 River, stay ’way from my door Boswell Sisters Female vocal trio, with jazz/dance band Vocal group  
Brunswick E37355 10-in. 11/5/1931 An ev’ning in Caroline Boswell Sisters Female vocal trio, with jazz/dance band Vocal group  
Brunswick E37445 10-in. 12/4/1931 Nothing is sweeter than you Boswell Sisters ; The Dorsey Brothers Female vocal trio, with jazz/dance band Vocal group  
Brunswick E37446 10-in. 12/4/1931 I thank you. Mr. Moon Boswell Sisters ; The Dorsey Brothers Female vocal trio, with jazz/dance band Vocal group  
Brunswick TCL1467 10-in. 3/27/1931 Betty Lou Boswell Sisters Female vocal trio Vocal group  
Brunswick TCL1468 10-in. 3/27/1931 Ain’t misbehavin’ Boswell Sisters Female vocal trio Vocal group  
Decca 60029 10-in. 10/8/1935 Top hat, white tie and tails Boswell Sisters Vocal group  
Decca 60030 10-in. 10/8/1935 Cheek to cheek Boswell Sisters Vocal group  
Decca 60302 10-in. 1/6/1936 I'm gonna sit right down and write myself a letter Boswell Sisters Vocal group  
Decca 60303 10-in. 1/6/1936 The music goes 'round and around Boswell Sisters Vocal group  
Decca 60463 10-in. 2/12/1936 Let yourself go Boswell Sisters Vocal group  
Decca 60464 10-in. 2/12/1936 I'm putting all my eggs in one basket Boswell Sisters Vocal group  
(Results 26-40 of 40 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Boswell Sisters," accessed April 26, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103494.

Boswell Sisters. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 26, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103494.

"Boswell Sisters." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 26 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103494

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