Viola Smith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Viola Smith
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Viola Schmitz |
| Born | November 29, 1912 Mount Calvary, Wisconsin, US |
| Died | October 21, 2020 (aged 107) Costa Mesa, California, US |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Drums |
Viola Clara Smith was an amazing American drummer. She was born on November 29, 1912, and lived until October 21, 2020. Viola was famous for playing drums in many different groups, like big orchestras and lively swing bands. She played music from the 1920s all the way until 1975!
Viola was one of the very first professional female drummers. She even appeared five times on the famous TV show The Ed Sullivan Show. She also played in two movies and a popular show on Broadway called Cabaret.
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Early Life and Family Music
Viola Schmitz was born in a small town called Mount Calvary, Wisconsin, on November 29, 1912. She grew up with a big family, including seven sisters and two brothers.
At first, all the children learned to play the piano. But their father had a special idea: he wanted to create an "all-girl" orchestra with his daughters. Viola chose to play the drums because her older sisters had already picked the other instruments she liked. Her parents owned a concert hall and a tavern nearby, which was a great place for music.
A Career in Rhythm
In the 1920s and 1930s, Viola played in her family's band, which was first called the Schmitz Sisters Family Orchestra. Later, it became the Smith Sisters Orchestra. Her father started this band in Wisconsin.
The sisters in the band were:
- Irene (Schmitz) Abler on trombone
- Erma Schmitz on vibraphone
- Edwina Schmitz on trumpet
- Viola Schmitz on drums
- Lila Schmitz on saxophone
- Mildred (Schmitz) Bartash on bass violin
- Loretta (Schmitz) Loehr on piano
- Sally (Schmitz) Ellenback on bass saxophone
They traveled and performed in many vaudeville shows and movie theaters, especially on weekends and during summer breaks when some sisters were still in school. A big moment for the band was when they played on the Major Bowes Amateur Hour radio show in the 1930s.
The Coquettes and a Strong Message
In 1938, Viola and her sister Mildred started their own all-female band called the Coquettes. Mildred played the clarinet and saxophone. This band performed until 1942.
In 1942, Viola wrote an important article for Down Beat magazine. It was titled "Give Girl Musicians a Break!" In the article, she bravely argued that women musicians could play just as well as men. She pointed out that during wartime, many male musicians were joining the military. She suggested that talented girl musicians should take their place instead of less skilled men.
Joining the Hour of Charm Orchestra
After Mildred got married, Viola moved to New York in 1942. There, she received special handmade snare drums from her teacher, Billy Gladstone. She also earned a summer scholarship to the famous Juilliard.
Soon after, Viola joined Phil Spitalny's Hour of Charm Orchestra. This was a very popular all-girl orchestra. Later, she even played with the NBC Symphony Orchestra.
Viola had a very unique drum set with 13 drums. She especially used two large tom-toms that stood at shoulder height. No one else copied her special setup. During this time, Viola recorded music for movies like When Johnny Comes Marching Home and Here Come the Co-Eds. She even performed with famous singers like Ella Fitzgerald and Chick Webb. People started calling her the "female Gene Krupa" and the "fastest girl drummer."
Viola performed at President Harry Truman's inauguration in 1949. She stayed with the Hour of Charm orchestra until 1954.
Later Bands and Broadway
After the Hour of Charm orchestra stopped performing, Viola led her own band called Viola and her Seventeen Drums. From 1966 to 1970, she played with the Kit Kat Band. This band was part of the original Broadway show Cabaret.
Personal Life
Viola Smith never married. In November 2019, when she turned 107 years old, it was reported that she still sometimes played drums with bands in Costa Mesa, California. She was one of the oldest living musicians at that time.
Viola passed away on October 21, 2020, at her home in Costa Mesa, California. She was 107 years old.
Film Appearances
- When Johnny Comes Marching Home (1942)
- Here Come the Co-Eds (1945)
Television Appearances
- I've Got a Secret (CBS)
- The Ed Sullivan Show (CBS) – five times
Broadway Musicals
Images for kids
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In Spanish: Viola Smith para niños
