Anna Mae Winburn

Anna Mae Winburn, née Darden (* August 13 1913 in Port Royal ( Tennessee), † September 30, 1999 in Hempstead, New York ) was an American singer and bandleader of the swing. It launched in 1941, the International Sweethearts of Rhythm.

Winburn grew up in Indianapolis and joined the local radio and in clubs as a singer on. Then she moved to Omaha, Nebraska, where she played in various territory bands and guitar. She also sang in the Serenaders Lloyd Hunter and with others of its groups. Finally, she took over the management of the (still existing exclusively male ) Cotton Club Boys, which at times also belonged to Charlie Christian. 1941 solved the ( be partially replaced by catchment because of military service after USA entered the war, partly they are also for overhauling Fletcher Henderson ) is on. Winburn was awarded in 1941 by Eddie Durham, the offer to head the Women's Big Band International Sweethearts of Rhythm, the arranger was Durham. A certain role was played by her good looks and glamorous appearance, but also the very real of her organizational skills. She remained the director until its dissolution in late 1948. You sang in the band and directed her on stage. The late 1940s and early 1950s, she founded new editions of the band, but they were less successful.

She married around 1948 Eustace "Duke" Pilgrim ( 1921-1970 ) with whom she had four children. Most recently, she lived in Elmhurst, New York.