The Boswell Sisters
Definitely the most talented and arguably the all-around best jazz vocal group of all time, the Boswell Sisters parlayed their New Orleans upbringing into a swinging delivery that featured not only impossibly close harmonies, but countless maneuvers of vocal gymnastics rarely equaled on record. Connee (sometimes Connie), Helvetia (Vet), and Martha Boswell grew up singing together, soaking up Southern gospel and blues through close contact with the Black community. They first performed at vaudeville houses around the New Orleans area, and began appearing on local radio by 1925. At first, they played strictly instrumentals, with Connee on cello, saxophone, and guitar; Martha on piano, and Vet on violin, banjo, and guitar. The station began featuring them in a vocal setting as well, with Connee taking the lead on many songs (despite a childhood accident that had crippled her and left her in a wheelchair).
Word of their incredible vocal talents led to appearances in Chicago and New York, and the Boswell Sisters began recording in 1930 for Victor. By the following year, they'd moved to Brunswick and reached the Hit Parade with "When I Take My Sugar to Tea," taken from the Marx Brothers' film Monkey Business and featuring the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra in support. The trio continued to work with many of the best jazzmen in the field (including Eddie Lang, Joe Venuti, and Bunny Berigan), and appeared in the 1932 film extravaganza The Big Broadcast with Bing Crosby and Cab Calloway. The Boswell Sisters hit the top of the Hit Parade a second time in 1935 with "The Object of My Affection" from the film Times Square Lady. One year later, however, both Martha and Vet retired from the group in favor of married life.
Connee had already made a few solo sides for Brunswick as early as 1932, and she continued her solo career in earnest after the Boswell Sisters parted. She hit number one twice during the late '30s, with the Bing Crosby duets "Bob White (Whatcha Gonna Swing Tonight?)" and "Alexander's Ragtime Band," and continued recording into the '60s.
© John Bush /TiVo
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Suit & Tie Vol. 6
Nat King Cole, The Boswell Sisters, Carmen Cavallaro, Joni James
Jazz - Released by Music Manager on 31 Jul 2015
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On the Air (1931-1936) [Collector Sound]
Vocal Jazz - Released by Tsk Music on 1 Aug 2011
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Heebie Jeebies
Pop - Released by H.o.t.S (Home of the Stars) on 5 Jun 2011
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Jazz Legends: The Boswell Sisters
Jazz - Released by Kateland on 15 Feb 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Time on My Hands
Jazz - Released by Lumi Entertainment on 1 Feb 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
One Of The Best Jazzsingers Ever
Jazz - Released by Golden Phonorecords on 29 Jan 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Boswell Sisters 1931-1935
Jazz - Released by Saar srl on 24 Jul 2015
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Reason for Surrendering to Jazz
Vocal Jazz - Released by Music Manager on 25 Jun 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Classic Recordings
Jazz - Released by Firefly Entertainment on 5 May 2008
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Golden Artists Of The USA, Vol. 28
Jazz - Released by Diamond Days on 5 May 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Golden Artists Of The USA, Vol. 27
Jazz - Released by Diamond Days on 5 May 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
It Don't Mean a Thing
Vocal Jazz - Released by Supreme Media on 30 Oct 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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I Surrender Dear
Jazz - Released by Classic Records on 22 Nov 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Boswell Sisters Compilation (60 Tracks)
Pop - Released by Milestones Records on 30 Sep 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo