It’s rare when an obituary can make you smile, but I loved this story: Viola Smith, ‘Fastest Girl Drummer in the World,’ Dies at 107. Ms. Smith came from a musical family — Her father formed the “Schmitz Sisters Mt. Calvary Orchestra,” and she became the drummer at 13.
She later formed a the “all girl” Coquettes, and took on Frances Carroll as conductor, singer and dancer. All female bands reached their peak during WW II, when many musicians were in the service.
Just watch this video:
She came to NY, studied timpani at Juilliard, played at Radio City, got hit on by Frank Sinatra and found a studio apartment in Midtown, where she lived for 70 years. She also appealed (largely unsuccessfully) for male orchestras to admit women.
Ms. Smith joined Phil Spitalny’s all-female big band, Hour of Charm, and stayed with the group for over a decade, appearing with them in the Abbott and Costello comedy “Here Come the Co-eds.” Ms. Smith also made several appearances on Ed Sullivan’s popular variety show and signed endorsement deals with Ludwig Drums and the Zildjian cymbal company.
And she was still playing into her second century: