Three X Sisters
| Three X Sisters | |
|---|---|
Three X Sisters, circa 1935
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | "The Hamilton Sisters and Fordyce" |
| Origin | Cumberland, Maryland, Brooklyn |
| Genres | Music hall artists, popular music, "rhythm and blues" |
| Occupation(s) | Vocal harmony trio, CBS, NBC Radio |
| Instruments | Piano and housebands |
| Years active | 1922–1946 |
| Associated acts | 'All Jazz Revue', Raymond Fagan Orchestra, Savoy Orpheans, 'Stars of the Future' with Helen Kane, Bert Ambrose, Eddie Cantor Radio Show, Isham Jones, Eddie Duchin, Paul Specht |
| Website | threexsistersharmony |
| Past members |
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The Three X Sisters were an American all-girl harmony singing trio, initially known as The Hamilton Sisters and Fordyce. They were on stage singing together as early as 1922, and formed their trio in 1924, which was composed of Pearl Santos (née Hamilton), Violet Hamilton from Cumberland and Jessie Fordyce from Brooklyn, NY. They were known on NBC radio as "radio's foremost harmony trio."
Comparable female trios of the day were the Boswell Sisters, the Pickens Sisters, and The Andrews Sisters.
Pearl, Violet, and Jessie had individually all been fairly well known in their theater venues by 1914. Earlier, Pearl and Vi had individually sung in Cumberland, Maryland, theaters and won prizes for their song competition accomplishments. Jessie performed alongside Arthur Yule, her father. She was on the Brooklyn, New York, vaudeville circuit and beyond - as a young child star 'Baby Helen', her stepping-stone success through songs, and vocal imitations had impressed the masses. Pearl Hamilton began her career on Broadway as early as 1917. Her roommate during this era was Joan Page, another 'Stars of the Future' entertainer/singer. The average salary in 1919 was $22.00 per week for the All Jazz Revue "chorus girls." Pearl started out as a soft shoe (ballet style) and high-kick dancer, and received positive dance reviews. The Hamiltons began their professional singing careers in harmony at the Haymarket Theatre in Chicago, Illinois. Some walk-on or cameo parts in silent films with Paramount Pictures showed their dancing talents. On December 30, 1920, at the Star Theater in New York City, Pearl's musicianship and piano styles were paired alongside a jazz band which included the Morette Sisters who were duet singers they played the violin and trombone, and Stanely played the coronet. Violet had been chosen in 1926 by Paramount, exclusively, for a scene of her Charelston dance moves. Later references to this accompanied their radio singing career. In 1920, Pearl and Violet (Hamiltons), were also part of the vocal chorus. A later addition was friend Jessie (Yule) Fordyce with the 'All Jazz Revue' showcase. Pearl and Violet started entertaining with the 'All Jazz Review', their first known performance, sponsored by Irons & Clamage and the Swear Club (a women's club) was reviewed by The Billboard on January 10, 1920. Pearl, "a tall, willowy girl, Is a dancing wonder" as her artistry in dance had become well known.
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