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1939 Female Big Band Drummer Viola Smith

Posts: 1461 Threads: 75

I must say i`ve never heard of this lovely lady(Viola Smith), but check out the drum set.No snare is used in this song-it`s all toms but the set is way ahead of it`s time complete with gong style suspended bass drums.I`m not even sure what they are or what make of drums these are for that matter.Pretty cool for 1939...

Wayne

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=698282393583761&set=vb.397785253633478&type=2&theater

1967 Rogers Cleveland Champagne Sparkle
20,16,13,13.
1967/68 Rogers Dayton Champagne Sparkle
20,16,13,13.
1966 Rogers cob 7 Line Dynasonic Snare.
1967 Rogers "Humberto Morales" Timbales.
1980 Ludwig B/O badge 14x 6.5 Black Beauty Snare.
1980 Ludwig B/O badge Red Cortex
22,22,18,16,15,14,13.
1988 Sonor "Horst Link" HLD 590 14x8 Bronze Snare
Posted on 10 years ago
#1
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

I have known about her for 20 years or so an article from not so modern drummer, Hiped me to her. here is a great you tube vid. her band was also all female

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dos5p2wv0gk"]Viola Smith talks about drum tricks - YouTube[/ame]

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 10 years ago
#2
Posts: 1461 Threads: 75

Mark,thanks for posting this interview as i`m going to check out more of it.Looks like i`ve got some catching up to do.

Wayne

1967 Rogers Cleveland Champagne Sparkle
20,16,13,13.
1967/68 Rogers Dayton Champagne Sparkle
20,16,13,13.
1966 Rogers cob 7 Line Dynasonic Snare.
1967 Rogers "Humberto Morales" Timbales.
1980 Ludwig B/O badge 14x 6.5 Black Beauty Snare.
1980 Ludwig B/O badge Red Cortex
22,22,18,16,15,14,13.
1988 Sonor "Horst Link" HLD 590 14x8 Bronze Snare
Posted on 10 years ago
#3
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

Wayne Viola is a real pioneer.

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 10 years ago
#4
Posts: 6170 Threads: 255

she was something else. I did some digging on her a few years ago.

mike

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Posted on 10 years ago
#5
Posts: 455 Threads: 77

This is a great interview. She was amazing, and I believe she was about 98 years of age when she gave this interview.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlzCWHw7ZW8"]Viola Smith: America's Original Hep Girl on Tom Tom TV - YouTube[/ame]

Posted on 10 years ago
#6
Posts: 1461 Threads: 75

Unbelievable that Viola is still living and will be 102 yrs. old in November 2014.Bet she can still lay down a roll as she was a fireball in 1939 and that fiestiness has carried over to this day.

Wayne

1967 Rogers Cleveland Champagne Sparkle
20,16,13,13.
1967/68 Rogers Dayton Champagne Sparkle
20,16,13,13.
1966 Rogers cob 7 Line Dynasonic Snare.
1967 Rogers "Humberto Morales" Timbales.
1980 Ludwig B/O badge 14x 6.5 Black Beauty Snare.
1980 Ludwig B/O badge Red Cortex
22,22,18,16,15,14,13.
1988 Sonor "Horst Link" HLD 590 14x8 Bronze Snare
Posted on 10 years ago
#7
Posts: 1094 Threads: 183

so cool. I love how she talked about NYC. What a doll!

Posted on 10 years ago
#8
Posts: 297 Threads: 26

I love those old A splash cymbals.

Posted on 10 years ago
#9
Posts: 6524 Threads: 37

That`s a huge BD. Tymp sticks ??? Why are two cymbals all F`d up and warped ? The intro chick is hawttttt !i

It`s a drum,.....Hit It !!

.....76/#XK9207 Phonic Sound Machine D454/D-505 snares !i
Posted on 10 years ago
#10
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