Connee Boswell, Bob Crosby Orchestra - Swing Me A Lullaby (1936)

Constance Foore "Connee" Boswell (Dec.3, 1907 - Oct.11, 1976) was an American female vocalist born in Kansas City, Missouri but raised in New Orleans, Louisiana.

With her sisters, Martha and Helvetia "Vet" Boswell, she performed in the 30's as The Boswell Sisters and became a highly influential singing group during this period via recordings and radio. Connee herself is widely considered one of the greatest jazz female vocalists and was a major influence on Ella Fitzgerald.

In 1936, Connee's sisters retired and Connee continued on as a solo artist (having also recorded solos during her years with the group).

The Boswells came to be well known locally while still in their early teens, making appearances in New Orleans theaters and radio. They made their first recordings for Victor Records in 1925, which included "Cryin' Blues" where Connee is featured singing in the style of her early influence, the African American singer Mamie Smith. The Boswell Sisters became stage professionals that year when they were tapped to fill in for an act at New Orleans' Orpheum Theatre. They received an invitation to come to Chicago and perform in 1928 and honed their act on the Western Vaudeville Circuit. When their tour ended they traveled to San Francisco. The hotel that had been recommended had a less than savory reputation, and the man at the desk suggested that these three young ladies might be better off in another hotel. That man, Harry Leedy, would later become their manager on a handshake and become a permanent part of Connee's life.

The Boswell Sisters travelled to Los Angeles where they performed on local radio and "side-miked" for the soundies, including the 1930 production "Under Montana Skies." did not attain national attention, however, until they moved to New York City in 1930 and started making national radio broadcasts. After a few recordings with Okeh Records, they made numerous recordings for Brunswick Records from 1931-1935. In 1935, the sisters had a #1 hit with "The Object of My Affection", the biggest of twenty top 20 records they would enjoy.

In 1936, the group signed to Decca Records and after just three releases called it quits (the last recording was February 12, 1936). Connee Boswell continued to have a successful solo career as a singer for Decca. She had changed the spelling of her name from Connie to Connee, reputedly because it made it easier to sign autographs.

Connee Boswell was also an arranger (the legendary Boswell Sisters harmony arrangements are hers) and a composer.

Connee sang from a wheelchair - or seated position - during her entire career, due to either a childhood bout with polio or a childhood accident (sources differ). The general public was not aware of her condition although Boswell herself did not keep this secret. During World War II, she tried to get involved with the U.S.O. but was not given permission to travel overseas, the "powers that be" apparently thought it might not be a morale-booster to have a "cripple" perform for the troops.

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Bob Crosby (August 23, 1913 Spokane, Washington March 9, 1993 La Jolla, California) was an American dixieland bandleader and vocalist, best known for his group Crosby and the Bob-Cats.

Bob Crosby started singing with Anson Weeks (1931-34) and the Dorsey Brothers (1934-35). He led his first band in 1935, when the former members of Ben Pollack's band elected him as titular leader. His most famous band, the Bob-Cats, was a Dixieland jazz group with members from the Bob Crosby Orchestra. Both the Bob Crosby Orchestra and the smaller Bob-Cats group specialized in Dixieland jazz, presaging the traditional jazz revival of the 1940s. Crosby's singing voice was remarkably similar to that of his brother Bing, but without its range.

The Bob Crosby Orchestra and the Bob Cats included (at various times) Yank Lawson, Billy Butterfield, Muggsy Spanier, Matty Matlock, Irving Fazola, Ward Silloway, Warren Smith, Eddie Miller, Joe Sullivan, Bob Zurke, Jess Stacy, Nappy Lamare, Bob Haggart, Walt Yoder, Jack Sperling, and Ray Bauduc.


Connie Boswell, Bob Crosby Orchestra - Swing Me A Lullaby (1936)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Connie
• Boswell
• Bob
• Crosby
• Orchestra
• 1936
• 30's

[gfks11]

How LOVELYYYYYYY!!!*****

[bingcro]

tks for posting wish the volumn had been louder its very low on my comp

[poopybutt77]

You said it. Connee is the best of the swinging singers of the 30's and 40's

[Anubis454545]

I really enjoy Connee's voice. I also really loved her duets with Bing Crosby, particulary the "Bob White" song.

Great video!

[Classic1940s]

She had such a smooth, beautiful, and unique voice :). I wouldn't mind listening to the Boswell Sisters 24/7, 365. ;)

[dianamaryflorence]

Connee Boswell was a great soloist and a great member of the Boswell Sisters. I listened to them every day in the 1930's.

[kirz778]

Yes Connee Boswell was the singer who had the most influence and inspiration for Ella Fitzgerald's style of singing.