The Pickens Sisters
Source: New York Swing Jazz
The Pickens Sisters were one of the four most popular female trios during the swing era: the Three X Sisters, the Boswells and the later Andrews Sisters. They consisted of Helen (b 1910), Jane (b 1907) and Patti Pickens (b 1914). Having studied at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia at age 14, Jane was the driving force and arranger for the trio. A fourth sister, Grace, was the trio's manager. Born in Georgia, Jane and her sisters followed their parents to Manhattan about the time that they made their first recordings on 14 July of 1931 with the Ben Selvin Orchestra: 'Do the New York' (Columbia 2499-D) and 'My Sweet Tooth Says I Wanna' / 'Nobody Loves No Baby (Like My Baby Loves Me)' (Columbia 2501-D).
'My Sweet Tooth Says I Wanna' Pickens Sisters backed by Ben Selvin and his Orchestra
From first-known session on 14 July 1931 in NYC W151682 Columbia 2501-D
Music: Sam H. Stept Lyrics: Joe Young / Sidney Clare
'Nobody Loves No Baby' Pickens Sisters backed by Ben Selvin and his Orchestra
From first-known session on 14 July 1931 in NYC W151683 Columbia 2501-D
Composition: Walter Donaldson
Per DAHR going by Rust, the sisters recorded a couple more tracks for Columbia to unknown fate on 21 September of 1931: 'Blue Kentucky Moon' and 'The Kiss That You've Forgotten'. Come unissued tracks for Victor on 29 January 1932: 'When the Blue of the Night' and 'Learning'. On 26 February of 1932 they spread along 'Was That the Human Thing to Do?' with 'Good-Night Moon' toward Victor 22929. The 21st of March brought 'Too Many Tears' with 'Somebody Loves You' toward Victor 22965.Their third name release went down 6 April for 'Dream Sweetheart' with 'Lawd, You Made the Night Too Long' toward Victor 22975.
'Was That the Human Thing to Do?' Pickens Sisters
16 Feb 1932 in NYC BRC-71860 Victor 22929
Music: Sammy Fain Lyrics: Joe Young
'Too Many Tears' Pickens Sisters
21 March 1932 in NYC BRC-71977 Victor 22965
Music: Harry Warren Lyrics: Al Dubin
'Night and Day' Pickens Sisters by the Paul Whiteman Orchestra
2 Feb 1933 in NYC BRC-71977 Victor 22965
Music: Harry Warren Lyrics: Al Dubin
'Did You Ever See a Dream Walking?' Pickens Sisters
1 Nov 1933 in Hollywood 68604-3 Victor 24468
Music: Harry Revel Lyrics: Mack Gordon
The Pickens Sisters worked in radio while recording to as late as 11 October 1934 toward issues like 'Be Still, My Heart' (Victor 24751) and 'Love Is Just Around the Corner' (Victor 24815). In the meantime they had appeared in the 1933 film, 'Sitting Pretty', and on Broadway per 'Thumbs Up!' running from December 1934 to May of 1935. Come 7 July of 1936 the Pickens performed for an audience of three television sets per the first television broadcast by NBC/RCA from the Empire State Building [IMDb].
'Good Luck - Best Wishes' Short film starring the Pickens Sisters
Directed by William Watson Released 21 August 1934
'Happiness Ahead' Pickens Sisters
From last-known session on 11 Oct 1934 in NYC BS-84467 Victor 24751
Composition: Allie Wrubel / Mort Dixon
'Love Is Just Around the Corner' Pickens Sisters
From last-known session on 11 Oct 1934 in NYC BS-84469 Victor 24815
Composition: Lewis E. Gensler Lyrics: Leo Robin
'First Television Broadcast NBC/RCA' Part 1 Pickens Sisters out
7 July 1936
'First Television Broadcast NBC/RCA' Part 2 Pickens Sisters at 10:47
7 July 1936
By 1937 all the sisters had married and the group became history. Jane was the only sister to continue a career in music, such as appearing in the 'Ziegfield Follies of 1936' and releasing the album, 'Jane Pickens Sings', in 1940. She also studied at the Fontainebleau in France and at Juilliard. Retiring in 1954, a succession of wealthy husbands enabled her to engage in philanthropy while pursuing still life painting. Living plush on Park Avenue in Manhattan, she died 21 February 1992 in Newport, Rhode Island. Helen had died in 1984. Patti followed in 1995. Though not the major entity that were the Boswells, it's said that in the brief several years that the Pickens Sisters existed they earned themselves a million dollars.
Sources & References for the Pickens Sisters:
William Ruhlmann (All Music)
VF History (notes)
Jane Pickens on Broadway: IBDB
Pickens Sisters in Film / Television: IMDb
Recordings: Catalogs:
Discogs (Jane Pickens)
Discogs (Pickens Sisters)
RYM (Pickens Sisters)
SHS (Jane Pickens)
SHS (Pickens Sisters)
Recordings: Sessions:
DAHR (1931-1934)
Tom Lord: 11 sessions 1932-1934
Other Profiles: Travalanche
Classical Main Menu Modern Recording
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