Viola Smith

American musician (1912-2020)

Viola Smith (née Schmitz; November 29, 1912 – October 21, 2020)[1] [2] was an American drummer. She was best known for her work in orchestras, swing bands, and popular music from the 1920s until 1975. She was one of the first professional female drummers.[3] She was born in Mount Calvary, Wisconsin.

Smith died on October 21, 2020 in Costa Mesa, California at the age of 107.[4] The cause of death was problems caused by Alzheimer's disease.[5]

References

change
  1. "Viola Smith - Drummer/Percussionist". drummercafe.com. Archived from the original on 2017-12-01. Retrieved 2016-03-30.
  2. "Jyn Yates - I just got word that female..." Facebook.com. Retrieved 2020-10-22.
  3. Clay, Joanna (November 26, 2011). "Still jazzing it up at 99". Daily Pilot. Archived from the original on December 30, 2012. Retrieved December 1, 2012.
  4. Viola Smith né 1912 nous a quittés RIP Archived 2020-10-27 at the Wayback Machine (in French)
  5. Pioneering drummer Viola Smith has died, aged 107