Biography
The Boswell Sisters were a pioneering American vocal trio, celebrated for their intricate harmonies and innovative arrangements during the jazz and swing eras. Consisting of Martha, Connie (later Connee), and Helvetia 'Vet' Boswell, the sisters were born in Kansas City and Birmingham but grew up in New Orleans, where they were immersed in the city's rich musical traditions. Initially trained in classical music and proficient on multiple instruments—Martha on piano, Vet on violin, banjo, and guitar, and Connie on cello, saxophone, and trombone—they began performing in local theaters and on radio in their teens, blending classical, jazz, and popular styles[1][2][3][4].
Their career took off in the late 1920s and early 1930s, as they transitioned from vaudeville circuits to national radio and recording contracts. The Boswell Sisters became renowned for their close harmony singing, rhythmic experimentation, and creative use of scat, tempo changes, and vocal effects. Their arrangements often fused elements of Southern gospel, blues, and ragtime, reflecting both their classical training and the vibrant New Orleans jazz scene. The trio collaborated with leading swing musicians such as the Dorsey Brothers, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, and Artie Shaw, helping to shape the big band sound of the era[1][2].
The group disbanded in 1936, but Connee Boswell continued as a successful solo artist for decades. The Boswell Sisters' legacy endures through their profound influence on later vocal groups and soloists, notably inspiring the Andrews Sisters and Ella Fitzgerald. Scholars credit them with making jazz commercially viable and destigmatizing the genre, opening its appreciation to a wider American public[1][2][5].
Fun Facts
- Connee Boswell performed seated throughout her career due to paralysis from either polio or a childhood accident, with the true cause never fully confirmed[1][3].
- The sisters were among the first artists from New Orleans to achieve a national number one hit[3].
- Connee Boswell is credited as one of the first popular singers to use a microphone for intimate vocal effects, a technique discovered accidentally during a radio broadcast[2].
- Their arrangements often included 'Boswellese' gibberish and sections borrowed from other songs, showcasing their playful and innovative approach to vocal jazz[1].
Members
- Connee Boswell
- Martha Boswell
- Vet Boswell
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Meldania Boswell (mother) - Encouraged classical training and exposed daughters to diverse New Orleans music (Early classical performances, New Orleans Philharmonic) [1910s–1920s]
Key Collaborators
- Dorsey Brothers - Recorded and performed together, shaping swing arrangements (Various 1930s recordings) [1930–1936]
- Glenn Miller - Collaborated on recordings and performances (Big band sessions) [1930s]
- Benny Goodman - Recorded and performed together (Big band sessions) [1930s]
- Artie Shaw - Collaborated on arrangements and performances (Big band sessions) [1930s]
Artists Influenced
- Ella Fitzgerald - Adopted their vocal techniques and harmonies (Close harmony arrangements, scat singing) [1930s–1950s]
- The Andrews Sisters - Modeled their trio harmonies and arrangements after the Boswells (Hit recordings in the 1940s) [1940s]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| The Boswell Sisters at Their Best, Vol.1 | 2013-01-12 | Album |
| If It Ain't Love | 2008-01-10 | Album |
| Boswell Sisters Vol.3 1932-33 | 2000 | Album |
| Anthology (1925-1936) | 2018-04-18 | Album |
| Nothing Was Sweeter Than The Boswell Sisters | 1930-01-01 | Album |
| Concentratin' on You | 1931-12-18 | Album |
| Shout Sister, Shout | 2024-10-01 | Album |
| The Boswell Sisters Swing! | 2010-08-02 | Album |
| The Boswell Sisters Volume 1 | 2007-05-26 | Album |
| That's How Rhythm Was Born | 1995-08-08 | Album |
| The Boswell Sisters 1932-34 | 2011-03-01 | Album |
| Cheek To Cheek | 2020-10-09 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Old Yazoo (The Boswell Sisters at Their Best, Vol.1)
- Old Yazoo (If It Ain't Love)
- Old Yazoo (Boswell Sisters Vol.3 1932-33)
- Old Yazoo (Anthology (1925-1936))
- Old Yazoo (Shout Sister, Shout)
- Let Yourself Go
- Old Yazoo (The Boswell Sisters Volume 1)
- Everybody Loves My Baby (Concentratin' on You)
- Concentratin' On You (Nothing Was Sweeter Than The Boswell Sisters)
- The Object Of My Affection (with Jimmie Grier) - 78 rpm Version (That's How Rhythm Was Born)
External Links
Tags: #jazz
References
Heard on WWOZ
THE BOSWELL SISTERS has been played 12 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station. Showing the 10 most recent plays.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 13, 2025 | 08:32 | You Oughta Be in Picturesfrom The Boswell Sisters Shout, Sister, Shout - Their 52 Finest 1931 | Traditional Jazzw/ Big Pete | |
| Dec 5, 2025 | 10:10 | There'll Be Some Changes Madefrom Volume 5: Horn of Plenty | Traditional Jazzw/ the Jazz Police | |
| Dec 5, 2025 | 10:04 | Heebie Jeebiesfrom THE BOSWELL SISTERS COLLECTION, PT.1 | Traditional Jazzw/ the Jazz Police | |
| Nov 26, 2025 | 10:27 | THE GOLD DIGGER'S SONGfrom CONNIE BOSWELL AND THE BOSWELL SISTERS | Traditional Jazzw/ Tom Saunders | |
| Nov 14, 2025 | 09:38 | WHEN I TAKE MY SUGAR TO TEAfrom THE BOSWELL SISTERTS COLLECTION, PT1 | Traditional Jazzw/ the Jazz Police | |
| Nov 5, 2025 | 09:09 | ROCK AND ROLLfrom CONNIE BOSWELL AND THE BOSWELL SISTERS | Traditional Jazzw/ Tom Saunders | |
| Oct 18, 2025 | 08:33 | There'll Be Some Changes Madefrom Volume 5: Horn of Plenty | Traditional Jazzw/ Big Pete | |
| Oct 18, 2025 | 08:30 | Heebie Jeebiesfrom The Boswell Sisters Shout, Sister, Shout - Their 52 Finest 1931 | Traditional Jazzw/ Big Pete | |
| Oct 17, 2025 | 10:21 | Roll On, Mississippi, Roll Onfrom Riverboat Shuffle | Traditional Jazzw/ the Jazz Police | |
| Oct 17, 2025 | 10:01 | We Just Couldn't Say Goodbyefrom The Boswell Sisters 1931-1935 | Traditional Jazzw/ the Jazz Police |