Seattle's Jackson Street jazz clubs flourished in the first half of the twentieth century, with their popularity peaking in the late 1930s through early 1950s. Seattle-born photographer Al Smith was a familiar figure in the clubs, often taking pictures of musicians and patrons, then returning the following week to sell prints.

Here, Smith photographs two women singing at a microphone at the Black & Tan club, while four men look on. The women are associated with the all-female International Sweethearts of Rhythm jazz band, whose drummer is visible on the bandstand in the background. The woman at right, directly behind the microphone, is Ernestine "Tiny" Davis, singer and trumpet player for International Sweethearts of Rhythm. The women at left is Anna Mae Winburn, professional singer and "Mistress of Ceremonies" for the band.

Caption information source: "The International Sweethearts of Rhythm, 1937-49" by David Radlauer.
November 30, 2022, The Syncopated Times website, retrieved at https://syncopatedtimes.com/the-international-sweethearts-of-rhythm-1937-49/