Meet the Bombshellettes a 15 piece, all girl swing band paying their respect to the pioneering ladies of a bygone era. Unusual, talented and visually enticing, where did this idea spring from and where are they headed next? I caught up with Rosie Morris to find out.

The Bombshellettes is the brain child of Rosie Morris, 29 of New Malden. Rosie has been drumming since the age of 11 and has a varied background and training, studying first at the BRIT school and later at LIPA. She has travelled extensively in her quest to experience music the World over and has played a bit of everything from folk to pop miming and indie music but her true passion is the big songs of the swing era.

Rosie admits to being “a bit of a nerd” when it comes to swing music and says the idea from the band evolved from research she did into all female swing bands of the 1920’s 30’s and 40’s. She says bands like Ina Ray Hutton (and her Melodears), Thelma White (and her all girl orchestra) and Anna Mae Winburn (and The International Sweethearts of Rhythm) have been an inspiration to her and shaped the look and sound of the Bombshellettes.

Rosie says “this band is certainly not a statement against playing with the fellas. It’s simply us paying homage to the girls that went before us and appreciating that they were very serious and talented musicians”. Whilst researching, what most impressed Rosie was the ability these women had of playing during a time when it wasn't always easy “they had a pretty hard time of it just by being women and especially if they were black” In fact The Melodears got radio play and it was suggested that they sounded so good they must have been overdubbed by men!

The Bombshellettes currently practice at Richmond Music Centre and will be working with their youth orchestra this year. Their next gig is at the 100 club, Oxford Street on Easter Monday (5th April)and tickets are £10 on the door. Check them out @ www.myspace.com/thebombshellettes for further information and bookings contact Rosie @ thebombshellettes"gmail.com