Valaida Snow is a unique name, but one that is likely unfamiliar to you.  A multi-talented entertainer and survivor of the Holocaust, she was referred to as the "second best trumpeter" by Louis Armstrong himself. Lily takes us through her life that was filled with obstacles, glamour, and a bittersweet end.

Shellac Attack is a light-hearted, jazz podcast for the vinyl rabid and jazz-curious. Every month we discuss an artist or movement accompanied by a playlist for you to follow along with at home. Hosts are Lily Mac and Charles Iselin.

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Songs Featured

Track #1 "High Hat, Trumpet And Rhythm" written and composed by Valaida Snow. Recorded 1936. Preformed by Valaida (trumpet/vocal) 'with Swing Accompaniments' [Scott Wood and His Six Swingers]: Harry Owen, t; Jock Fleming, tb; Freddy Gardner, ts;  George Scott-Wood, p; Joe Young, g; Dick Escott, sb; Jock Jacobson, d.

Track #2 "Chloe" Sung by Valaida Snow. Recorded 1937. London.  Preformed by Valaida Snow 'with Swing Accompaniment' [Johnny Pillitz's Orchestra]: Johnny Claes, t; Derek Neville, bar; Reggie Dare, ts; Gun Finlay, p; Norman Brown, g; Louis Barreiro, sb; Ken Stewart, d.

Track #3 "Caravan" preformed by "Queen of the Trumpet" Valaida & Lulle Elleboys Orkester. Recorded 1939. Stockholm. Valaida Snow, t/v; Bengt Artander-Gunnar Green, t; Sture Green, tb; Lulle Elleboy-Gunnar Wallberg, as; Rudolf Eriksson, ts; Willard Ringstand, p; Kalle Löhr, g; Roland Bengtsson, sb; Olle Sahlin, d.

Track #4 "Poor Butterfly" preformed by Valaida - Queen Of The Trumpet, and her Orchestra. Recorded 1935. London. Valaida Snow, v/t; Duncan Whyte, t; Buddy Featherstonhaugh, ts; Billy Mason, p; Alan Ferguson, g; Sam Molyneux, sb; George Elrick, d.

Track #5 "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" preformed by Valaida med Winstrup Olesens Swingband. Recorded 1940.  Copenhagen.  Valaida Snow, t/v; Kaj Møller, cl; Winstrup Olsen, ts; Leo Mathisen, p; Helge Jacobsen, g; Christian Jensen, sb; Kai Fischer, d.

Track #6 "I Want A Lot Of Love" written and composed by Valaida Snow. Recorded 1936. Preformed by Valaida (trumpet/vocal) 'with Swing Accompaniments' [Scott Wood and His Six Swingers]: Harry Owen, t; Jock Fleming, tb; Freddy Gardner, as/ts;  George Scott-Wood, p; Joe Young, g; Dick Escott, sb; Jock Jacobson, d.

Interviews/Research/Learn more

Small Valaida Segment ft. Bobby Short, Rosetta Reitz

Charles, Mario A. "The Age of a Jazzwoman: Valada Snow, 1900-1956." The Journal of Negro History 80, no. 4 (Autumn 1995): 183-91. doi:10.2307/2717442.

Duckett, Alfred A. "Life In Nazi Prison Camp." Washington Afro American, April 24, 1943.

Reitz, Rosetta. "Hot Snow: Valaida Snow (Queen of the Trumpet Sings & Swings)." Black American Literature Forum 16, no. 4 (Winter 1982): 158-60. doi:10.2307/2904225. JSTOR.

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