What's black and white and was heard all over?

June 16, 2008 6:55 PM

In the 1930-40s there was an interracial, all woman swing band, the International Sweethearts of Rhythm. They are not exactly forgotten. There is a book, a movie, a black history month public radio special and a tribute album devoted to them. Ladies and gentleman: the International Sweethearts of Rhythm (YouTube). More audio files here. Photo 1, 2

The band came to my attention when listening to this Terry Gross interview of Catherine Russel (site auto-loads music), a great jazz singer, who is the daughter of Sweetheart Carline Ray.

posted by shothotbot (7 comments total)

What a cool story! The interview with saxophonist Rosalind Cron (at the bottom of the page in the "public radio special" link) is great.
posted by amyms at 7:51 PM on June 16, 2008

I love swing music, that was great thanks.

How cool is their band leader?
posted by fshgrl at 8:23 PM on June 16, 2008

these are some hip, hip ladies.
posted by MNDZ at 10:16 PM on June 16, 2008

Fabulous links, many thanks shothotbot!
posted by ceri richard at 2:21 AM on June 17, 2008

I first came across this group when I went looking for information about The Rhythm Sweethearts (a Canadian all-female country band).
posted by The Card Cheat at 6:24 AM on June 17, 2008

Hey, wait a minute, isn't that Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis on bass and sax?!
posted by Spatch at 6:31 AM on June 17, 2008

Great post, shothotbot, thanks. Here's a thread about them on All About Jazz.
posted by madamjujujive at 9:48 AM on June 17, 2008