Eddie Durham's All-Star Girl Orchestra facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eddie Durham's All-Star Girl Orchestra
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| Genres | Jazz |
| Years active | 1943–1945 |
The Eddie Durham's All-Star Girl Orchestra was a super cool all-female band from America. It was started by a talented musician named Eddie Durham in January 1942. This group was also known as "Eddie Durham's All-Girl Band." They played music all over the country and even in other parts of the world!
The band usually had between 18 and 22 members. Many of their musicians came from other popular bands. Some of these included The Harlem Playgirls and The International Sweethearts of Rhythm.
A Look Back at Their History
Becoming Famous
Starting in July 1943, the All-Star Girl Orchestra began touring. They traveled all over the United States and Canada. They played concerts in cities like Columbus, South Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia.
The All-Stars were very popular during World War II. They performed at special shows for soldiers called United Service Organization (USO) Camp Shows. The band spent at least one night each week helping with the war effort. They helped raise money for the war and cheered up soldiers. They performed at 72 army camps in Canada.
Most bands had trouble finding money during the war. But the All-Stars were lucky! They had fancy buses with hot and cold water and air conditioning. Their buses even had beds for sleeping. The government also gave them special gas coupons.
They had enough money because of Mary McLeod Bethune. She was a very important person. She started the National Council of Negro Women and Bethune-Cook College. Mary McLeod Bethune got special permission from Eleanor Roosevelt for the band's bus to travel anywhere.
The All-Stars played at famous places. These included the Paramount Theater, the Apollo Theater, and the Howard Theater. They were even asked to perform on Broadway in New York City. They were invited back to the Apollo Theater many times. They played there in February, September, and June of 1942. They also performed in October 1943 and April 1944. Sometimes, they performed with other big stars. These included Ella Fitzgerald, Moms Mabley, and the comedy duo Butterbeans and Susie.
The Band Ends
In 1945, after VJ Day, the All-Stars were set to play in Oakland, California. But after playing for just one week, the band broke up. This happened because many male musicians were returning home from the war.
Eddie Durham made sure every band member got home safely. He then trained a singer named Jean Parks to lead the band. The group was renamed Jean Parks's All Star-Girl Band. However, this new band officially ended less than a year later when Jean Parks became sick.
Many former All-Star members joined other bands. For example, Lorraine Brown Guilford joined the Darlings of Rhythm.
Who Was in the Band?
The members of the All-Stars changed over time. Here are some of the talented musicians who played in the band:
- Dolly Jones Armenra - Trumpet
- Edna Williams - Trumpet
- Jean Starr - Trumpet
- Nova Lee McGee - Trumpet
- Thelma Lewis - Trumpet
- Flo Jones - Trumpet
- Lela Julius- Trombone
- Jessie Turner - Trombone
- Sammy Lee Jett - Trombone
- Ellarize Thompson - Alto Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, and Violin
- Alma Cortez - Baritone Saxophone
- Lorraine Brown Guilford - Saxophone
- Josephine Boyd- Saxophone
- Margaret Backstreet "Padjo" - Saxophone
- Edith Farthing - Upright Bass
- Violet "Vi" M. Wilson - Bass
