Constance Foore "Connee" Boswe… Read Full Bio ↴From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Constance Foore "Connee" Boswell (December 3, 1907 - October 11, 1976) was an American female vocalist born in Kansas City, Missouri but raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. With her sisters, Martha and Helvetia "Vet" Boswell, she performed in the 1930s as The Boswell Sisters and became a highly influential singing group during this period via recordings and radio. Connee herself is widely considered one of the greatest jazz female vocalists and was a major influence on Ella Fitzgerald who said, "My mother brought home one of her records, and I fell in love with it....I tried so hard to sound just like her."[1]
In 1936, Connee's sisters retired and Connee continued on as a solo artist (having also recorded solos during her years with the group).
The Boswells came to be well known locally while still in their early teens, making appearances in New Orleans theaters and radio. They made their first recordings for Victor Records in 1925, which included "Cryin' Blues" where Connee is featured singing in the style of her early influence, the African American singer Mamie Smith. The Boswell Sisters became stage professionals that year when they were tapped to fill in for an act at New Orleans' Orpheum Theatre. They received an invitation to come to Chicago and perform in 1928 and honed their act on the Western Vaudeville Circuit. When their tour ended they traveled to San Francisco. The hotel that had been recommended had a less than savory reputation, and the man at the desk suggested that these three young ladies might be better off in another hotel. That man, Harry Leedy, would later become their manager on a handshake and become a permanent part of Connee's life.
The Boswell Sisters travelled to Los Angeles where they performed on local radio and "side-miked" for the soundies, including the 1930 production "Under Montana Skies." did not attain national attention, however, until they moved to New York City in 1930 and started making national radio broadcasts. After a few recordings with Okeh Records, they made numerous recordings for Brunswick Records from 1931-1935. In 1935, the sisters had a #1 hit with "The Object of My Affection", the biggest of twenty top 20 records they would enjoy.
In 1936, the group signed to Decca Records and after just three releases called it quits (the last recording was February 12, 1936). Connee Boswell continued to have a successful solo career as a singer for Decca.
All through her career with The Boswell Sisters, and well into the 1940s, her name was spelt "Connie". She later changed the spelling to Connee, reputedly because it made it easier to sign autographs.
Connee Boswell was also an arranger (the legendary Boswell Sisters harmony arrangements are hers) and a composer.
Connee sang from a wheelchair - or seated position - during her entire career, due to either a childhood bout with polio or a childhood accident (sources differ). The general public was not aware of her condition although Boswell herself did not keep this secret. During World War II, she tried to get involved with the U.S.O. tours but was not given permission to travel overseas. The "powers that be" apparently thought it might not be a morale-booster to have a "cripple" perform for the troops.
Connee Boswell was a favorite duet partner of Bing Crosby and they frequently sang together on radio as well as recording several hit records as a duo in the 1930s and 1940's. Boswell, Crosby, and Eddie Cantor recorded a version of Alexander's Ragtime Band that was a #1 hit in 1938.In 1939, Crosby and Boswell had three hit duet records that each climbed into the top 12 on Billboard; "An Apple For The Teacher" climbed all the way to #2.
Connee Boswell also had several dozen solo hits, including "Moonlight Moon" in 1942. Boswell's career slackened in the 1950s but she still recorded occasionally and would be featured on a number of television broadcasts including a regular stint on the 1959 series "Pete Kelly's Blues".
Connee Boswell died at age 68 in 1976. A number of her recordings are now available on CD, both as a soloist and part of the Boswell Sisters.
Between 18th And 19th On Chestnut Street
Connee Boswell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
An eatin' place, drinkin' place of great renown
Ooh-wah, Ooh-wah
There is a rib joint where the folks all meet
Meet ev'ry mornin' for to drink and eat
It's not so high class but it can't be beat
Between 18th and 19th on Chestnut Street
You hear piano played by Stacy Trent
He is a famous boogie woogie gent
You ought to stop there if you're pleasure bent
Between 18th and 19th on Chestnut Street
Come along some night, if you're feelin' right
Wear a cloud for a hat
You have a reservation
For some daybreak syncopation
That's where the Hoiti Toi meet the Hoi Polloi
The man that owns it is Sylvester Brown
His girl friend Bessie wears a rhinestone gown
It's on the south side at the edge of the town
Between 18th and 19th on Chestnut Street
The man that owns it is Sylvester Brown
His girl friend Bessie wears a rhinestone gown
It's on the south side at the edge of the town
Between 18th and 19th on Chestnut Street
Between 18th and 19th on Chestnut Street
The song "Between 18th and 19th on Chestnut Street" by Connee Boswell is about a popular food and drink place on Chestnut Street that is visited by people from all walks of life. The lyrics talk about the ambiance of the place, with live music provided by the famous boogie-woogie man, Stacy Trent. The establishment is not high-class but is a simple place where people gather to have a good time. The song is an invitation to the listener to visit the place themselves and enjoy the syncopation and lively atmosphere.
The song captures the spirit of the jazz age, a time when people were looking to have a good time despite the harsh realities of the Great Depression. It conveys the sense of community at the heart of jazz, where people of different backgrounds and social classes could come together to appreciate the music and each other's company.
Line by Line Meaning
Have ya heard about a place in town
Have you been informed of a certain establishment in the local area?
An eatin' place, drinkin' place of great renown
It's a renowned spot for both food and drink.
There is a rib joint where the folks all meet
A rib restaurant where locals gather.
Meet ev'ry mornin' for to drink and eat
Gathering for food and drink every morning.
It's not so high class but it can't be beat
The place isn't fancy but is unbeatable.
Between 18th and 19th on Chestnut Street
Located on Chestnut Street between 18th and 19th.
You hear piano played by Stacy Trent
Piano playing by the famous boogie woogie musician, Stacy Trent.
He is a famous boogie woogie gent
Stacy Trent is well-known for his boogie woogie music.
You ought to stop there if you're pleasure bent
It's worth stopping by if you're looking for enjoyment.
Come along some night, if you're feelin' right
If you're in the mood, come by some evening.
Wear a cloud for a hat
Dress up a bit for the occasion.
You have a reservation
You already have a spot reserved.
For some daybreak syncopation
For some lively music in the early morning.
That's where the Hoiti Toi meet the Hoi Polloi
It's a place where people of different walks of life meet.
The man that owns it is Sylvester Brown
Sylvester Brown is the proprietor.
His girl friend Bessie wears a rhinestone gown
Sylvester's girlfriend, Bessie, likes to dress up.
It's on the south side at the edge of the town
Located on the southern outskirts of town.
Between 18th and 19th on Chestnut Street
Located on Chestnut Street between 18th and 19th.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DICK ROGERS, WILL OSBORNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nikachimes6675
Thank you thank you…..how classic……special compilation done in good taste…💫✨✨✨
@Trombonology
Bing and Connee were always utterly magnificent together -- great rapport and and at least the appearance of spontaneity in their banter. Who wouldn't love to join them at this rib joint?