The Smithsonian Honors The Original All-Female Jazz Group
The 6 remaining members of the International Sweethearts of Rhythm were invited to the Smithsonian to be celebrated for their achievements and recognized for forming the first ever all-female jazz band back in 1937.
Made up of a number of girls from multiple ethnic backgrounds between the ages of 14 and 19, all hailing from Piney Woods Country Life School in Piney Woods, Mississippi, the ensemble was formed to assist them in paying their tuition.
Cathy Hughes was a driving force in assembling the exhibit, now on display at the Smithsonian to honor her mother, Helen Jones Woods, who was the daughter of the school's founder.
'International Sweethearts of Rhythm: Hottest Women's Band of the 1940's' is available on jazz vinyl and showcases 16 songs from differing times in their career, though the band only formally recorded 4 commercial tracks while they were together.
Other releases available in vinyl record format include some of the group's live radio performances on 'Hot Licks 1944-1946: Rare Recordings from One of the Best American All-Girl Bands of the Swing Era' and even some songs on 'Big Band Jazz: The Jubilee Sessions 1943-1946'.
The ensemble was also featured in some rare footage captured on the 2004 documentary 'The Swing Era: Sarah Vaughan'.
Though the line-up of the band changed multiple times over the ensemble's career, their objective stayed true.
They overcame racial and gender stereotypes for the dedication to their art and proved themselves as professional artists.
A majority of the group was African-American, and in that time in some parts of the south, it was illegal for Caucasians and blacks to share accommodations and so one Caucasian member in particular, Rosalind Cron, concealed herself on the bus in order to stay with her band mates, who she considered as her sisters.
She was even arrested in El Paso, TX when she was spotted, and had to attempt to convince the police that her mother was African-American before the band's manager came to her rescue.
The ensemble left the school in 1941 and traveled the United States, even traveling to France and Germany as a part of a World War II USO tour in 1945.
Some of the girls never even earned their diplomas, due to too much time on the road, rather than going to class.
After a healthy run, the girls went their separate ways and the ensemble formally disbanded in 1949.
The 6 surviving women gathered during the ceremony at the Smithsonian, where they were presented with honorary diplomas from the alma mater.
Still excitable to this day, the women were thrilled to see that they will be remembered through this exhibit.
Cron also shared some words of wisdom with the crowd; "Don't let anyone come between you and your horns, or music.
"
Made up of a number of girls from multiple ethnic backgrounds between the ages of 14 and 19, all hailing from Piney Woods Country Life School in Piney Woods, Mississippi, the ensemble was formed to assist them in paying their tuition.
Cathy Hughes was a driving force in assembling the exhibit, now on display at the Smithsonian to honor her mother, Helen Jones Woods, who was the daughter of the school's founder.
'International Sweethearts of Rhythm: Hottest Women's Band of the 1940's' is available on jazz vinyl and showcases 16 songs from differing times in their career, though the band only formally recorded 4 commercial tracks while they were together.
Other releases available in vinyl record format include some of the group's live radio performances on 'Hot Licks 1944-1946: Rare Recordings from One of the Best American All-Girl Bands of the Swing Era' and even some songs on 'Big Band Jazz: The Jubilee Sessions 1943-1946'.
The ensemble was also featured in some rare footage captured on the 2004 documentary 'The Swing Era: Sarah Vaughan'.
Though the line-up of the band changed multiple times over the ensemble's career, their objective stayed true.
They overcame racial and gender stereotypes for the dedication to their art and proved themselves as professional artists.
A majority of the group was African-American, and in that time in some parts of the south, it was illegal for Caucasians and blacks to share accommodations and so one Caucasian member in particular, Rosalind Cron, concealed herself on the bus in order to stay with her band mates, who she considered as her sisters.
She was even arrested in El Paso, TX when she was spotted, and had to attempt to convince the police that her mother was African-American before the band's manager came to her rescue.
The ensemble left the school in 1941 and traveled the United States, even traveling to France and Germany as a part of a World War II USO tour in 1945.
Some of the girls never even earned their diplomas, due to too much time on the road, rather than going to class.
After a healthy run, the girls went their separate ways and the ensemble formally disbanded in 1949.
The 6 surviving women gathered during the ceremony at the Smithsonian, where they were presented with honorary diplomas from the alma mater.
Still excitable to this day, the women were thrilled to see that they will be remembered through this exhibit.
Cron also shared some words of wisdom with the crowd; "Don't let anyone come between you and your horns, or music.
"
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