Helen Jones Woods facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Helen Jones Woods
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| Born | October 9 or November 14, 1923 Meridian, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | July 25, 2020 (aged 96) Sarasota, Florida, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz, swing |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Trombone |
Helen Elizabeth Jones Woods (born in 1923, died in 2020) was an amazing American musician. She played the trombone, a brass instrument with a slide. Helen was famous for playing with a group called the International Sweethearts of Rhythm. This was a very popular all-female jazz and swing band. She was also honored in the Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame in 2007.
Early Life and Musical Start
Helen Elizabeth Jones was born in 1923. For a short time, she lived in an orphanage. Later, she was adopted by Dr. Laurence and Grace Jones. They started the Piney Woods Country Life School. This was a special boarding school for Black students. It was well-known for its strong music program.
Helen loved the trombone's slide movement from a young age. She started playing with the school band when she was only 11 years old. This band later became the famous International Sweethearts of Rhythm.
A Career in Music
In the 1940s, Helen Elizabeth Jones Woods was part of the best female jazz band in the United States. The International Sweethearts of Rhythm traveled all over. They played their exciting swing music for many fans. Helen was one of six band members who shared their story. They were interviewed for a 1986 film about the band. This film was called International Sweethearts of Rhythm.
After the band stopped playing in 1949, Helen moved to Omaha. She briefly played with the Omaha Symphony Orchestra. However, she was asked to leave when they realized she was not white. This was a time when many places had unfair rules about race.
After her music career, Helen became a licensed practical nurse. She worked at Douglas County Hospital. Helen Jones Woods and her husband, William Alfred Woods, lived in the Logan Fontenelle Housing Projects. Her husband attended Creighton University. He became the first African-American to get an accounting degree from that university.
Personal Life and Legacy
Helen Woods was a Catholic. She regularly attended St Benedict the Moor church in Omaha. Her fourth child is Cathy Hughes. Cathy is a very successful business owner from Omaha.
Helen Jones Woods passed away on July 25, 2020. She died from COVID-19 at a hospital in Sarasota, Florida. Her life showed her amazing talent and strength.
See also
