The Boswell Sisters

The Boswell Sisters were a highly influential American vocal trio.

They were famous for their close harmony singing during the jazz and swing eras. The group consisted of three sisters: Martha, Connie, and Helvetia, often called "Vet." They were known for a unique singing style that blended intricate harmonies with complex arrangements. Their music helped make "real" jazz commercially viable for the general American public. By doing so, they helped destigmatize the genre and expanded its popularity.

The trio utilized a variety of advanced musical techniques in their performances. They employed scat, which is vocal improvisation using nonsense syllables. They also used "Boswellese," a specific type of gibberish singing style. The sisters were masters of instrumental imitation, using their voices to mimic musical instruments. Their arrangements often featured sudden changes in tempo and meter. They also used major and minor juxtaposition, which involves switching between different musical moods. Furthermore, they frequently implemented key changes and incorporated sections from other songs into a single piece.

Musical training began with classical studies in their childhood. Martha studied classical piano, while Connie practiced the cello. Vet focused on the violin. They studied under Otto Finck, a professor from Tulane University. They often performed classical repertoire in local recitals as a trio. However, the vibrant jazz scene of New Orleans eventually influenced their professional direction. Martha later noted that while they were prepared for classical tours, the saxophone captured their interest. As they transitioned to jazz, Vet took up the banjo and guitar, and Connie learned the saxophone and trombone.

Their upbringing in New Orleans provided a rich musical foundation.

Their parents, Alfred Clyde and Meldania Boswell, were part of a musical family that sang in a barbershop quartet. The sisters were exposed to diverse sounds through their mother, who took them to see African-American performers at the Lyric Theatre. There, Connie heard Mamie Smith, whose 1920 blues record "Crazy Blues" was a major hit. Connie even imitated Smith's style on the group's first record, "I'm Gonna Cry (Cryin' Blues)." The sisters also learned from the music of their household servants and street musicians in the French Quarter.

The sisters' career progressed from local New Orleans theaters to national fame. They began performing in vaudeville theaters in the early 1920s. In March 1925, they made their first recordings for Victor Records using primitive acoustic horn technology. This method often made vocals sound thin, requiring singers to sing at full volume. After touring the Midwest, the sisters moved to San Francisco in 1929. They eventually settled in Los Angeles and signed with the radio station KNX. This move allowed them to perform on variety programs like "The Navigator Hour" and "The Paramount Hour."

Success in radio led to opportunities in the film industry. The Boswell Sisters performed "side-miking" work for Hollywood film musicals. These included movies such as "Let's Go Places" and "Under Montana Skies." They also made many broadcast transcription recordings for the Continental Broadcasting Corporation. In 1930, they recorded several songs for OKeh Records. Some of these tracks were internationally paired with jazz recordings by the legendary Louis Armstrong. Their ability to perform on radio, stage, and screen made them recognizable figures across the country.

The legacy of the Boswell Sisters is tied to the development of the big band sound. They collaborated with preeminent swing musicians of the 1930s. These musicians included the Dorsey Brothers, Glenn Miller, and Benny Goodman. They also worked with Joe Venuti, Eddie Lang, Artie Shaw, Victor Young, and Bunny Berigan. Their unique arrangements fused different musical traditions, which had a profound effect on the era's music. Even after the trio split in 1936, Connie continued a successful solo career. She remained a vocalist in radio, film, and television for twenty-five years.