Viola Smith: America’s Original Hep Girl
Viola is known as one of America’s very first professional Female drummers, she was often referred to as “The Female Gene Krupa.” Born in 1912, she recently celebrated her 100th birthday. Learn about her extraordinary life including the Coquettes all-girl orchestra, drumming in an Abbott & Costello Film, Playing at President Harry Truman’s inauguration gala, and playing in The Kit Kat Band in the original 1960’s production of “Cabaret.”
Directed, shot and edited by: Rhianne Paz Bergado
Produced by: Candace Hansen, Rhianne Paz Bergado & Maria A. Yanez
Interview portion shot on Panasonic GH2, driftwood hack, color graded with FCP: Apple 3-way color