The Fastest Drummer: Clap Your Hands for Viola Smith
Dean Robbins, illustrated by Susanna Chapman
This biography follows Viola Smith, a pioneering woman drummer born in 1912. Growing up in Mount Calvary, Wisconsin, she performed with her sisters in the Smith Sisters Orchestra and sought advice from other drummers to strengthen her playing. When her sisters moved on, Viola remained committed to music. In the 1930s, aware that women received fewer opportunities in the field, she formed the women’s band the Coquettes and later advocated for women musicians during World War II.
This book appears on 2 reading lists across 1 edition from 2 organizations.
