Women and Jazz: International Sweethearts of Rhythm

In this onstage conversation, members of the International Sweethearts of Rhythm discuss the history of women in jazz and the legacy of the Sweethearts. Moderated by Sally Placksin (producer of jazz documentaries and oral histories, and author of American Women in Jazz: 1900 to the Present) and Cathy Hughes (Founder, Radio One).




Founded in 1937, the International Sweethearts of Rhythm was the nation's first, integrated, female big band. The band members were students, 14 years and older, who paid for their education by performing as a jazz band to help promote and sustain their financially struggling school, the Piney Woods School in Mississippi. The Sweethearts travelled nationwide in a customized tour bus built by the school, named Big Bertha, performing at churches, state fairs, dance and civic halls and later entertainment venues, such as the Apollo Theater. The band confronted dual biases of gender and race and excelled during a period in history when the majority of African Americans lived in the South under Jim Crow laws.




The Sweethearts were featured in a "Donation Ceremony" at the National Museum of American History presenting archival material of their history and onstage discussions. These events highlighted the Jazz Appreciation Month 10th Anniversary celebrations in 2011 honoring women and jazz. A permanent Sweethearts collection now resides in the museum's Archives Center. Jazz Appreciation Month is a global program of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History to advance recognition and appreciation of jazz as America's original music. More information can be found online at: www.smithsonianjazz.org.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Women In Jazz
• Jazz
• music
• integration
• integrated

[groovinwalrus]

Violet Weaver sang Jazz Music. We think she may have traveled to New York City to do her work as a Jazz vocalist. She may have performed under a different name.

Thank you for all the information you may have about Violet Weaver-Jazz Singer.

She may have had some contact with the Sweethearts of Rhythm group.

[groovinwalrus]

Does anyone know of a singer who may have performed with the Sweethearts of Rythm back in the 1930's and 1940's? Her name was Violet Weaver. She was from Hawaii. The last she was heard from was in 1964 or 1965. She was living in New York City at that time. Please post all pertinent information soon! We are searching for any information at all about this woman. Violet Weaver attended the Piney Woods School. She gave birth to 3 children. Her oldest child was born in 1932. Please help. Thank you

[jazzinthe202]

Fabulous! I enjoyed the conversation that day and I'm glad I can share it with some more people.