Ina Ray Hutton

Ina Ray Hutton is most famous in jazz history for having led an all-female big band in the 1930s. Her dancing in front of the orchestra (often using a baton as a prop) and her occasional winning vocals were a strong attraction for years. In the early '30s she sang and danced in several Broadway productions including Lew Leslie's "Clowns In ilover," George White's "Melody Revue" and the Ziegfield Follies. In 1934 she was signed by Irving Mills to front an all-female orchestra which became known as Ina Ray Hutton and her Melodears; that venture lasted for several years. They appeared in several film shorts including performing a classic version of "Truckin'." In the 1940s Hutton led a couple different male big bands, she married Randy Brooks and continued performing into the 1950s, often on television. Ina Ray Hutton recorded six numbers in 1934 (including "How About Tomorrow Night") and a dozen with her male bands during 1940-41.