Anna Mae Winburn
Anna Mae Winburn , née Dardén, (born August 13, 1913 in Port Royal (Tennessee) , † September 30, 1999 in Hempstead , New York ) was an American singer and bandleader of swing . From 1941 she headed the International Sweethearts of Rhythm .
Winburn grew up in Indianapolis and performed there as a singer on local radio and clubs. She then moved to Omaha , Nebraska , where she played in various Territory bands and guitar. She also sang in the Serenaders of Lloyd Hunter and with others from his groups. Eventually she took over the management of the (still exclusively male) Cotton Club Boys, to which Charlie Christian belonged at times . In 1941 they disbanded (partly by moving in because of military service after the USA entered the war, partly they are also said to have switched to Fletcher Henderson , who was pulling through ). In 1941 Winburn received an offer from Eddie Durham to lead the women's big band International Sweethearts of Rhythm , which was arranged by Durham. Her good looks and glamorous demeanor certainly played a role, but also her organizational talent. She remained the director until it was dissolved at the end of 1948. She sang in the band and conducted them on stage. In the late 1940s and early 1950s she founded new editions of the band, but they were less successful.
She married Eustace "Duke" Pilgrim (1921–1970) around 1948 and had four children with him. Most recently she lived in Elmhurst , New York.
literature
- Linda Dahl Stormy Weather , Limelight 1996
- Sherie Tucker Swing Shift , Duke University Press 2000
- Antoinette Handy International Sweethearts of Rhythm , Scarecrow Press 1998
Web links
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Winburn, Anna Mae |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American jazz singer and band leader |
| DATE OF BIRTH | August 13, 1913 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Port Royal , Tennessee |
| DATE OF DEATH | September 30, 1999 |
| Place of death | Hempstead , New York |