The International Sweethearts of Rhythm was the first integrated all women's band in the United States. The original members met at Piney Woods Country Life School, a school for African American children, in Mississippi in 1938. Three years later, two white musicians were brought into the group, and the 17-piece band toured extensively for a decade, including a six-month European tour playing for American soldiers. Here they are performing “Jump Children” in 1946 with Anna Mae Winburn leading the band and Vi Burnside on the saxophone solo.



This documentary (11:30 minutes) is worth your time. Ironically perhaps, the white women in the band had to hide or disguise themselves at this time in our history.