Viola Smith: America's Original Hep Girl on Tom Tom TV
Вставка
- Опубліковано 30 січ 2013
- Viola Smith is known as one of America's very first professional Female drummers, she was often referred to as "The Female Gene Krupa." Born in 1912, she recently celebrated her 100th birthday. Learn about her extraordinary life including the Coquettes all-girl orchestra, drumming in an Abbott & Costello Film, Playing at President Harry Truman's inauguration gala, and playing in The Kit Kat Band in the original 1960's production of "Cabaret."
Directed, shot and edited by: Rhianne Paz Bergado
Produced by: Candace Hansen, Rhianne Paz Bergado & Maria A. Yanez
exclusively for Tom Tom Magazine: A Magazine About Female Drummers. www.tomtommag.com
I used to listen to her play, on the radio, with Phil Spittany and his all girl orchestra. Every week I'd wait for her drum solo, she was one of my inspirations for becoming a drummer.
Really inspiring! My 8-year-old daughter is a drummer and she was blown away watching her fills and solos. Also, Viola does NOT seem like someone who is 100 in this interview. We should all age so gracefully!
What a blessed woman, to have had a father who was in love with music. RIP Viola!
She passed away today at the amazing age of 107, just a month shy of her 108th birthday.
I'm in Australia ,,,im a builder about 6/7 years ago i done a job and there was a old lady 105years old next door living by her self the house was old no mod cons but fine people looked out for her , one guy that i remember visiting her i thought was his mum ,tuned out it was his mother in law the son in-law was 80 plus in great shape . and i asked him about the old lady . He said she died a few years back six weeks shy of 107,,, fantastic....people talk about wanting Power ,,,,,, now that's power that stuff blows me away...
We won't see her like again.
The shape she was in at 100 was incredible!! I love those unusual high side drums. What an inspirational Lady
She’s a real piece of work and I’m glad she got a little bit of recognition before she passed . Listen to how sharp she is for her age .
Awwwww 🥰 your comment so heart warming and touching. Nice reading your comment, how are you doing..
they should make a movie of this woman!
You’re WATCHING IT! FIRST HAND!
Excellent idea!
@Rachel g This is it!
💯💯💯💯💯% agree on this!🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻#GirlPower!!💃🏻💪🏻
I agree totally! This generation needs to learn who she was! RIP
Her memory is amazing.
I love the shinning Zildjian Tshirt on her.
Rip : Viola smith (November 29 1912 - October 21 2020)
What an absolute Gem! Rest in Peace Dear Viola Smith.
13: 26 beautiful reflection of her life "I really had a charmed life. I can't believe it. Unless people call drumming work. Then I have worked hard in my life."
I’m here after hearing about her death. I haven’t seen much female drummers in my life, but after finding out about her she’s going to inspire me to keep going and play the drums. Love you Viola, Rest In Peace ❤️
Knock 'em dead, lady! Do it in memory of Viola Smith.
There are tons of lady drum players now! And lots of great women guitarists too. Look on youtube, literally hundreds of them just on youtube! Viola was th greatest!
@@michaelcraig9449 …just “by the hundreds”? Not the thousands?
Literally discovered this young lady just now, after her having been around for well over 100 years, & have fallen in love - but am heartbroken now; learning this beautiful soul recently left us :(
What a talent!
Godspeed, Viola...
How have I never heard of this amazing woman?!! All I can say is wow wow wow! I’m an instant fan!
Rest in Peace Viola Smith 1912 - 2020 😭
I started believing in “Immortal legends” after seeing this beautiful drummer 🙏🏼
RIP Viola - such an inspiration
Viola you are a pioneer for females in the music world and have led quite the colorful life. I hope someone makes a movie about you!
Not just inspiring women she inspires everyone!
My grandfather was born in June 1912, just a few months before her, and today would have been grandma's 106th birthday, I wish both of them were still around, you never stop missing grandma and grandpa, they were the glue to the family.
What a wonderful, beautiful person! So talented. May she rest in peace.
Very modest that she describes herself as having a 'charmed life'. What she actually had was talent.
To talk with Viola is pure joy and it's amazing that she works a few days a week at the Piecemakers Country in Costa Mesa, CA.
It's wonderful to see this beautiful, talented lady still vibrant and fully alive at 102. Go, Viola, go! You're an inspiration to us all!
This is one cool lady!
God Bless her.
Rest in Peace Viola Smith. To me as a drummer and to many many fans of Violas I can say this emphatically Viola Smith was the inspiration for all of us to learn listen to and find out how important it is to have fine musical abilities. A woman who has really really did he part in keeping the sensible music in the forefront.
I'm sorry she did not get the light she deserved and many of us just now learning of her. Enjoyed this interview immensely.
Amazing woman! I'm heartbroken that she passed...but what a life! As a drummer myself, I am truly touched and inspired.
Viola Smith is still alive and well at 106 years old!
Thank you Viola. Musicians like you were are so healing.
I think it’s very important to note that Viola Smith was the last living link to that era to that era of big band swing The era of the 1930s and 40s she was the last surviving member to be participate in that world! Just think of it !....the last living link to the swing era was a woman! Isn’t that Just fitting?!
Really I mean who else from that period of time is still with us I can’t think of anyone male or female! If anybody knows of anyone from that time that’s still alive please comment.
I know of two who are alive:
1) Louise Tobin (b. 1918), singer in Benny Goodman's band and then-wife of Harry James.
2) Ray Anthony (b. 1922), played in the trumpet section of Glenn Miller's band and started later his succesful own band. (And a male!)
I seen another doc on something this guy was 90 plus ,and he said it was a pretty good time to be a young man in the 20s So people say we live in the best times ,,,,,That is a bold statement,,,,,, And i do not need any more evidence to confirm that is not true...
Sharp as a tack memory...always love stories of past times... so glad this was posted...Viola Smith...rip. 107 yo
This woman is a treasure and a legend.🎶🪘👍
Inspirational woman. Being a musician won't necessarily make you live longer, but it will improve the quality of life. Thanks for the post.
Likely an example of "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger"!
Awwwww 🥰 your comment so heart warming and touching. Nice reading your comment, how are you doing..
So amazing!!!!! Sad to hear about her passing on. She definitely has earned my respect for her talent as a Drummer cause I happen to be one myself! RIP Viola.
I just discovered Viola while doing a project for my school's jazz band and I'm so glad I did. She was amazing I love her personality
This tribute to Viola, my aunt, depicts just how she was - very sweet and always active. Did you include Vi in your project?
Just learning of this fantastic woman today, She is an inspiration around the World ! Makes me feel sad that just last week I posted a cover song about saying whats on your mind before it's too late. May she rest in peace.
Famous! Note her shirt: I think she is the oldes Zildjian cymbal factory endorser :-)
They gave her a set of really nice drums. She is a friend of mine.
katie needham Viola is a Friend of yours?! Awesome
and Zildjian is the oldest company in the world, it was founded in 1623
I noticed the Zildjian shirt, too! Really cool lady.
What a wonderful woman! RIP Viola.
Great Woman!!Music is still the best invention mankind made!!
What a wonderful interview! Thanks to everyone involved for creating it. Vi is such a sharp lady and a wealth of knowledge for music historians!
Slammin'!!! Wonderful!!!
Crazy set up, but they rock!!
Pioneers, really! And people think today's young people have talent. Shit!!
God bless these ladies!!!
what a fascinating lady and so kind and generous - and an inspiration to many - would love to see a film of her life on the big screen RIP x
This is an extremely interesting interview! She was a part of music history and opened doors for other women !
Fantastic. Can only hope I will be this active and still playing music at 106.
Interesting interview. She has fantastic recall of an amazing life.
Viola Smith you are a true inspiration and congratulations on another great achievement of celebrating your 100th birthday, you are definitely a legend
She’s proudly wearing her Zildjian drums shirt 👍🙌🏻♥️
just love her---forever!!
What a wonderful life, and a grand spirit.
This is GREAT!!!!! I was so happy to see Viola Smith in this wonderful interview!!!! Thank you so much for making this available. Sherrie Tucker
Just reading your book "Swing Shift". Great!!!
Viola Smith Rocks!!!
HOW CAN ANYONE DISLIKE THIS , JUST FANTASTIC
That right there is my great great aunt!
Brava Viola!
I LOVE this woman
RI...drum heaven...me lady “boom”
MBH 🎶🤣
Peace
Happy 103 birthday !
A fascinating insight from Viola and a good watch; thank you. 101 years old too!
Thanks for producing this documentary!
What an amazing lady, and what an amazing life.
What great history!!!!! Thanks Viola!!!!!!
Ladies like her and my Mom, who was a Rosey the Riveter at Curtiss Wright in Oh making airplanes, and all the servicemen and women, will always be the Greatest Generation ( with no disrespect to our founding fathers and mothers )
It's an honor to know her. A wonderful lady. Love You Vi!!!
Great lady. Great life.
She was so sharp. And an amazing drummer. Incredible. Rest In Peace you beautiful soul.
Happy Birthday Viola
Wow- what an incredible lady!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
wonderful stories she shares.........................................
'Bless her! A great gal. It would be interesting to see if drummers are the longest living of musicians. They sure keep in shape! (Of course there are exceptions who drink/smoke/take drugs too much)
Man, what an absolute national treasure! RIP Viola, you will not be forgotten.
She died Oct 21, 2020 a month short of 108 years old
An inspiration.R.I.P Viola
GREAT AMAZING JOB IN PRODUCING/POSTING THIS, GUYS... REALLY SOMEONE WHOSE LIFE SHOULD BE CELEBRATED BY ALL MEANS. THANK YOU, CONGRATS!
I just discovered this amazing musician 4 minutes ago!!!!! Definitely a bio-pic or documentary would be an excellent idea!
great interview! viola is such an inspiration! ... loved this! thanks!
Wonderful - thank you so much.
Gosh she was terrific.
She was rockin' before they even thought of that term!
Thank you tom tom, this was great. Wish it was longer though.
Great and personable musician.
Viola is becoming more famous now than when she was alive. At least I found out now!
i´m amazed -----------
Fantastic lady and a great drummer
Amazing Viola...
Today is 22/1/21. I've been a working singer/musician all my adult life and this is the 1st I've heard of Viola Smith?
Thank you for uploading this!
Here's to you Viola!
What a great life story
She was amazing.
Awwwww 🥰 your comment so heart warming and touching. Nice reading your comment, how are you doing.
Music kept this woman young!!!
WHAT A LEGEND! LONG LIVE THE DRUMS 🥁
Bless her heart.....
Wonderful!! Loved it!! What an amazing life she has had! Viola looks absolutely wonderful!! I know that she played with The Coquettes. I personally know Fran Carroll, who was the leader of that group. A few years ago when I was in NYC and playing violin with Jerry Scott at Catarina's, Fran was always there singing with Jerry.
This is so rad!! Thank you Tom Tom for showcasing such powerful and inspiring women!!
A true inspiration!! Great drummer and person !
What an absolutely charming woman she was
Wonderful
:-)
WOW -- amazing!!! Thank you Tom Tom for this story!!!
Stupendous. I'd love to know where she got the idea of shoulder high toms from - copied by a few later on!