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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 1-25 of 40 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor B-32113 10-in. 3/22/1925 You can call me baby all the time Boswell Sisters Female vocal trio, with piano Vocal group  
Victor B-32123 10-in. 3/25/1925 Dad Boswell Sisters Female vocal trio, with piano Vocal group  
Victor B-32124 10-in. 3/25/1925 Nights when I am lonely Boswell Sisters Female vocal trio, with piano Vocal group  
Victor B-32132 10-in. 3/22/1925 Pal o' mine Boswell Sisters Female vocal trio, with piano Vocal group  
Victor PBVE-54882 10-in. 7/20/1930 We're on the highway to heaven Boswell Sisters ; Jackie Taylor Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal chorus Vocal group  
Victor PBVE-54885 10-in. 7/20/1930 That's what I like about you Jackie Taylor Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal chorus Vocal group  
OKeh W404407 10-in. 10/3/1930 My future just passed The Three Boswell Sisters Female vocal trio, with piano Vocal group  
OKeh W404408 10-in. 10/3/1930 Heebie jeebies The Three Boswell Sisters Female vocal trio, with piano Vocal group  
OKeh W404409 10-in. 10/3/1930 I'm yours The Three Boswell Sisters Female vocal trio, with piano Vocal group  
OKeh W404410 10-in. 10/3/1930 Gee, but I'd like to make you happy The Three Boswell Sisters Female vocal trio, with piano Vocal group  
OKeh W404414 10-in. 10/31/1930 Don’t tell her what's happened to me The Three Boswell Sisters Female vocal trio, with piano Vocal group  
Brunswick E36491 10-in. 3/19/1931 Wha’d ja do to me? Boswell Sisters ; The Dorsey Brothers Female vocal trio, with jazz/dance band Vocal group  
Brunswick E36492 10-in. 3/19/1931 When I take my sugar to tea Boswell Sisters ; The Dorsey Brothers Female vocal trio, with jazz/dance band Vocal group  
Brunswick E36654 10-in. 4/23/1931 Roll on, Mississippi, roll on Boswell Sisters Female vocal trio, with jazz/dance band Vocal group  
Brunswick E36655 10-in. 4/23/1931 Shout, Sister, shout Boswell Sisters Female vocal trio, with jazz/dance band Vocal group  
Brunswick E36724 10-in. 5/22/1931 Sing a little jingle The Brunswick Orchestra [Victor Young Orchestra] ; Victor Young Jazz/dance band, with female vocal trio Vocal group  
Brunswick XE36821 12-in. 6/26/1931 I surrender, dear Brunswick Concert Orchestra Orchestra, with mixed vocal quartet Vocal group  
Brunswick XE36822 12-in. 6/26/1931 Star dust Brunswick Concert Orchestra ; Victor Young Orchestra, with female vocal trio Vocal group  
Brunswick E36825 10-in. 5/22/1931 Sing a little jingle The Brunswick Orchestra [Victor Young Orchestra] Jazz/dance band, with female vocal trio (scat) Vocal group  
Brunswick E36826 10-in. 5/22/1931 I found a million dollar baby (In a five and ten cent store) The Brunswick Orchestra [Victor Young Orchestra] ; Victor Young Jazz/dance band, with female vocal trio Vocal group  
Brunswick E36911 10-in. 7/8/1931 It’s the girl! Boswell Sisters ; Dorsey Brothers Orchestra Female vocal trio, with jazz/dance band Vocal group  
Brunswick E36912 10-in. 7/8/1931 It’s you Boswell Sisters ; Dorsey Brothers Orchestra Female vocal trio, with jazz/dance band Vocal group  
Brunswick E37080 10-in. 8/17/1931 Makin’ faces at the man in the moon Boswell Sisters ; The New Yorkers [Bill Challis Orchestra] Jazz/dance band, with female vocal trio Vocal group  
Brunswick E37082 10-in. 8/17/1931 I can’t write the words Boswell Sisters ; The New Yorkers [Bill Challis Orchestra] Jazz/dance band, with female vocal trio Vocal group  
Brunswick E37112 10-in. 8/27/1931 Shine on, harvest moon Boswell Sisters Female vocal trio, with jazz/dance band Vocal group  
(Results 1-25 of 40 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Boswell Sisters," accessed November 4, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/103494.

Boswell Sisters. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 4, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/103494.

"Boswell Sisters." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 4 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/103494

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