Martha Boswell
Encyclopedia
Martha Boswell Lloyd was the eldest of the legendary Boswell Sisters
. Her younger sisters were Connee
and Helvetia "Vet" Boswell.
The Boswell Sisters sang together until 1936 when Vet and Martha retired to begin their married lives. In addition to singing, she also played piano accompaniment on most of the Sisters recordings and was a gifted concert pianist as well. She could play almost anything with keys. Rag and blues entered Martha's musical vocabulary at an early age.
The Boswell Sisters left New Orleans in 1928 and their jazz harmony singing catapulted them to international fame. Backed by musicians like the Dorsey Brothers, Bunny Berrigan, Venuti and Lang, Glenn Miller
, Artie Shaw
and the orchestras of Victor Young and Jimmy Grier, the sisters dominated the airwaves between 1931 and 1936. Beginning with their own national radio show in 1930 and later alternating with the Mills Brothers as guests on Bing Crosby
's syndicated show, they became the sound to lighten the heart of the Depression. They made movies, played Broadway and toured Europe. They cut hit songs on the Brunswick label and were among the small stable of stars that Jack Kapp used to launch Decca Records.
Boswell Sisters
The Boswell Sisters were a close harmony singing group, consisting of sisters Martha Boswell , Connee Boswell , and Helvetia "Vet" Boswell , noted for intricate harmonies and rhythmic experimentation...
. Her younger sisters were Connee
Connee Boswell
Constance Foore "Connee" Boswell was an American female vocalist born in Kansas City but raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. With her sisters, Martha and Helvetia "Vet" Boswell, she performed in the 1930s as The Boswell Sisters and became a highly influential singing group during this period via...
and Helvetia "Vet" Boswell.
The Boswell Sisters sang together until 1936 when Vet and Martha retired to begin their married lives. In addition to singing, she also played piano accompaniment on most of the Sisters recordings and was a gifted concert pianist as well. She could play almost anything with keys. Rag and blues entered Martha's musical vocabulary at an early age.
The Boswell Sisters left New Orleans in 1928 and their jazz harmony singing catapulted them to international fame. Backed by musicians like the Dorsey Brothers, Bunny Berrigan, Venuti and Lang, Glenn Miller
Glenn Miller
Alton Glenn Miller was an American jazz musician , arranger, composer, and bandleader in the swing era. He was one of the best-selling recording artists from 1939 to 1943, leading one of the best known "Big Bands"...
, Artie Shaw
Artie Shaw
Arthur Jacob Arshawsky , better known as Artie Shaw, was an American jazz clarinetist, composer, and bandleader. He was also the author of both fiction and non-fiction writings....
and the orchestras of Victor Young and Jimmy Grier, the sisters dominated the airwaves between 1931 and 1936. Beginning with their own national radio show in 1930 and later alternating with the Mills Brothers as guests on Bing Crosby
Bing Crosby
Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby was an American singer and actor. Crosby's trademark bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, with over half a billion records in circulation....
's syndicated show, they became the sound to lighten the heart of the Depression. They made movies, played Broadway and toured Europe. They cut hit songs on the Brunswick label and were among the small stable of stars that Jack Kapp used to launch Decca Records.