Hutton, Ina Ray (1916–1984)
Hutton, Ina Ray (1916–1984)
Amerian bandleader. Name variations: Ina Rae Hutton; Ina Ray. Born Odessa Cowan, Mar 13, 1916, in Chicago, IL; died of complications from diabetes, Feb 19, 1984, in Ventura, California; dau. of pianist Marvel Ray; half-sister of June Hutton (1923–1973, singer); m. Lou Parris (saxophonist), 1944 (div.); m. Randy Brooks (bandleader), 1949 (div. 1957); m. 4th husband Jack Curtis (businessman, div. 1981).
The only woman to lead a prominent Big Band in her day, sang and danced in stage revues from age 8; appeared in Ziegfeld Follies of 1934; organized all-female band, The Melodears (1934), featuring hot swing; starred with her band in several Paramount musical shorts (1935–37); appeared as herself in several fulllength films and starred in film Ever Since Venus (1944); after the Melodears broke up (1939), led an all-male band until 1950; led another all-woman band for "The Ina Ray Hutton Show," show locally on California tv (1951–56); also appeared in shows with such bandleaders as Artie Shaw and Harry James; retired (1968).