Born and raised by the sounds of New Orleans, sisters Martha, Connie, and Helvatia “Vet” Boswell made a name for themselves with their vocal group, “The Boswell Sisters.” Through their tight harmonies and unique sound, they helped define and popularize the swing era to a wider audience. While their career as a group only spanned a decade, they cemented themselves as one of the more influential sounds of their time. Connie would also go on to have a successful career as a solo artist, often singing with Bing Crosby.

In this episode, Mike mentions their early career “side-miking” for silent films. Here’s an example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhS3abENo9A&t=1s&ab_channel=GetBozzed-TheBoswellSisters

Check out this episode’s companion playlist on Spotify for all featured songs, as well as bonus records. View a transcript of this episode here.

Song List

“Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree (with Anyone Else But Me);” Performed by the Andrew Sisters; Written by Sam H. Step, Lew Brown & Charles Tobias; Geffen Records, 1942

“Nights When I Am Lonely;” Performed by The Boswell Sisters; Written by The Boswell Sisters; Victor, 1925

“Shout, Sister, Shout;” Performed by The Boswell Sisters; Written by Alex Hill & Clarence Williams; Brunswick Records, 1932

“When I Take My Sugar to Tea;” Performed by The Boswell Sisters; Written by Sammy Fain, Irving Kahal, & Pierre Norman; Brunswick Records, 1932

“Everybody Loves My Baby;” Performed by The Boswell Sisters; Written by Spencer Williams & Jack Palmer, Brunswick Records, 1932

“There’ll Be Some Changes Made;” Performed by The Boswell Sisters; Written by Benton Overstreet & Billy Higgins; Brunswick Records, 1932

“Object of My Affection;” Performed by The Boswell Sisters & Jimmie Grier and His Orchestra; Written by Jimmie Grier, Coy Poe, & Pinky Tomlin; Brunswick Records, 1935

“Alexander’s Ragtime Band;” Performed by The Boswell Sisters; Written by Irving Berlin; Brunswick Records, 1935

“Alexander’s Ragtime Band;” Performed by Connie Boswell; Written by Irving Berlin; Decca Records, 1958

“I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter;” Performed by The Boswell Sisters; Written by Fred E. Ahlert & Joe Young; Decca Records, 1936

“I’m Putting All My Eggs In One Basket;” Performed by The Boswell Sisters; Written by Irving Berlin; Decca Records, 1936

“Martha (Ah! So Pure);” Performed by Connee Boswell; Composed by Friedrich von Flotow; Decca Records, 1949

“An Apple for the Teacher;” Performed by Connee Boswell & Bing Crosby; Written by James V. Monaco & Johnny Burke; Decca Records, 1939

“They Can’t Take That Away From Me;” Performed by Connee Boswell; Written by George Gershwin & Ira Gershwin; Decca Records, 1939

“Cheek to Cheek;” Performed by Connie Boswell; Written by Irving Berlin; Decca Records, 1958