Helen Jones Wood (1923-2020), who died last month of Covid-19, was a trombonist with The International Sweethearts of Rhythm, an all-female big band that toured the country in the 1930s and 1940s. The band was "international" because its mostly African American members also included white, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American musicians. Integrated bands were not able to tour the South in those days, leading some of the white musicians to appear in blackface. The International Sweethearts of Rhythm reached the height of popularity during WWII, appearing on bills with Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holiday, and Ella Fitzgerald. The band also made a series of short music videos called "soundies" that were played in movie theaters and in night clubs.
UPDATE: You can read more about them here. H/T Alex Lubet.
Steve, Thanks for posting these. They're wonderful.
--Bernie
Posted by: Bernard A Burk | August 08, 2020 at 12:18 PM
Glad you liked them, Bernie.
Posted by: Steve L. | August 09, 2020 at 09:19 AM