Sue Ernest Hewling

Sue Ernest Hewling (1882 – May 17, 1962) was an American musician, band leader and educator. Her particular talent for whistling and bird sounds was featured in early novelty recordings and live performances, especially of the Ladies' Rainbow Saxophone Band, which she led.

Sue Ernest Hewling, from a 1922 publication.

Early life

Sue Ernest was from Mechanicsburg, Ohio. She studied to play the cornet and saxophone as a teenager, but was already known as a proficient whistler in childhood. She attended the Conn Conservatory in Elkhart, Indiana.[1]

Career
Ladies' Rainbow Saxophone Band, from a 1922 publication.

She toured with various women's orchestras in her career. During World War I she organized the Ladies' Rainbow Saxophone Band (later the Ladies Rainbow Sextet), to entertain troops in camps.[2] The players wore rainbow-themed stage costumes and the lighting carried the theme as well. They toured American cities, college campuses and other gatherings through the 1920s, bringing "a happy, lively mixture of good music", by one newspaper account.[1][3][4][5] The Ladies' Rainbow Saxophone Band entertained President Warren G. Harding during his time in the White House.[6]

In 1921, Hewling was a saleswoman with the Rodeheaver Company, selling recordings of religious music in Chicago.[7] In 1932, she performed at a benefit for unemployed workers in Miami.[8] In 1943 she was a drummer (and, on occasion, whistler) with the Miami All-Women Orchestra.[9][10]

She and her musical partner Imogene Waldron (a member of the Ladies' Rainbow Saxophone Band[11]) co-wrote and co-directed a children's pageant called "A Trip around the World" performed in Indiana in 1927,[12] and co-directed a variety show in Miami in 1931, with Caesar LaMonaca as the headliner.[13] The pair co-directed a youth harmonica band in Miami in 1934.[14] Hewling and Waldron sometimes performed duets on musical saws, as a novelty act.[15][16] In 1948, the two women were running a kindergarten together.[17]

Personal life

Sue Ernest married and had a son.[1] From about 1929 she lived with fellow musician Imogene (Imo) Waldron in Miami, Florida. Sue Hewling died there in 1962, aged 80 years.[18]

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References
  1. Eunice Martin, "Sue Ernest Hewling" Musical Monitor (June 1922): 308.
  2. "Coming on Monday to the Majestic" Clarion-Ledger (February 22, 1925): 10. via Newspapers.com
  3. "Ladies' Rainbow Sextet Will Appear in High School Wednesday" Evening Review (January 30, 1928): 5. via Newspapers.com
  4. "Ladies' Rainbow Saxophone Band" Saline Observers (July 6, 1922): 3.
  5. "Ladies' Rainbow Band To Appear Here Soon" The Tiger (January 7, 1925): 4.
  6. "Musicians Billed On Lecture Course" Marion Star (January 24, 1928): 7. via Newspapers.com
  7. "Joins Rodeheaver Co." Music Trades (December 31, 1921): 26.
  8. "Shows for Jobless Net $1500 for Fund" Miami News (March 5, 1932): 2. via Newspapers.com
  9. "Women's Orchestra Slated for Debut" Miami News (August 5, 1943): 13. via Newspapers.com
  10. "Women Play City Concert" Miami News (August 15, 1943): 26. via Newspapers.com
  11. "Orchestra Next Grotto Number" Decatur Herald (January 20, 1924): 3. via Newspapers.com
  12. "Pageant Program" and "Kiwanis Luncheon" Richmond Item (July 15, 1927): 9. via Newspapers.com
  13. "Musical Concert Set for Tonight" Miami News (August 14, 1931): 5. via Newspapers.com
  14. "Harmonica Band Organized Here" Miami News (November 24, 1934): 12. via Newspapers.com
  15. "Harvey Seeds Post Plans Harvest Ball" Miami News (October 30, 1931): 5. via Newspapers.com
  16. "Concerts Listed for Three Parks Here This Week" Miami News (March 30, 1943): 10. via Newspapers.com
  17. Diane Hockenberry, "Kindergarten Class Holds Graduations" Miami News (Jun 11, 1948): 25. via Newspapers.com
  18. "Mrs. Sue Heuling [sic], Orchestra Founder" Miami News (May 18, 1962): 5. via Newspapers.com
  • "In Bluebird Land", 1922 Victor recording of Hewling with the Benson Orchestra of Chicago.
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