Publisher's Synopsis
This book is about the all-girl dance bands and orchestras in Australia in the 1920-40s. Working on the margins of a profession dominated by men, women musicians have long played together, turning novelty and sex-appeal to advantage. Over a century has passed since the first all-woman orchestras made their mark on public consciousness and Kay Dreyfus' book pays homage to the often forgotten women of these bands, and orchestras, and their influence on popular culture in Australia. Sweethearts of Rhythms started life as an exhibition in 1995 at the Performing Arts Museum, Melbourne, put together by Kay Dreyfus using a number of oral history interviews and a selection of photographs from the era. Illustrated with over 200 photographs.
