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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: 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 26-50 of 59 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  
Brunswick LA278 10-in. 12/10/1934 The object of my affection Boswell Sisters ; Jimmie Grier Orchestra Female vocal trio, with jazz/dance band Vocal group  
Brunswick LA279 10-in. 12/10/1934 It's written all over your face Boswell Sisters ; Jimmie Grier Orchestra Female vocal trio, with jazz/dance band Vocal group  
Brunswick B11320 10-in. 2/19/1932 Was that the human thing to do Boswell Sisters Female vocal trio, with jazz/dance band Vocal group  
Brunswick B11321 10-in. 2/20/1932 (We've got to) Put that Sun back in the sky Boswell Sisters ; The Dorsey Brothers Female vocal trio, with jazz/dance band Vocal group  
Brunswick B11543 10-in. 3/21/1932 There'll be some changes made Boswell Sisters Female vocal trio Vocal group  
Brunswick B11544 10-in. 3/21/1932 Between the devil and the deep blue sea Boswell Sisters Female vocal trio Vocal group  
Brunswick B11949 10-in. 6/17/1932 Hand me down my walkin' cane Boswell Sisters Female vocal trio Vocal group  
Brunswick B12000 10-in. 6/29/1932 Old Yazoo Boswell Sisters Female vocal trio Vocal group  
Brunswick B12151 10-in. 8/6/1932 We just couldn't say good-bye Boswell Sisters Female vocal trio Vocal group  
Brunswick B12152 10-in. 8/6/1932 Sleep, come on and take me Boswell Sisters Female vocal trio Vocal group  
Brunswick B12153 10-in. 8/6/1932 Down among the sheltering palms Boswell Sisters Female vocal trio Vocal group  
Brunswick B12641 10-in. 11/22/1932 Minnie the Moocher's wedding day Boswell Sisters ; The Dorsey Brothers Female vocal trio, with jazz/dance band Vocal group  
Brunswick B12697 10-in. 12/7/1932 Crazy people Boswell Sisters Female vocal trio Vocal group  
Brunswick B12860 10-in. 1/9/1933 Mood indigo Boswell Sisters Female vocal trio Vocal group  
Brunswick B13222 10-in. 4/11/1933 Forty Second Street Boswell Sisters Female vocal trio Vocal group  
Brunswick B13466 10-in. 6/15/1933 (Stop that) Putting it on Boswell Sisters Female vocal trio Vocal group  
(Results 26-50 of 59 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Boswell Sisters," accessed January 6, 2026, http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103494.

Boswell Sisters. (2026). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved January 6, 2026, from http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103494.

"Boswell Sisters." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2026. Web. 6 January 2026.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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