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Half Sister to June Hutton. Her professional career began
early, when at the age of eight, she appeared, as a young
tap dancer, with a revue produced by Gus Edwards. By 1934,
she was appearing in several Broadway shows, including George
White's "Melody" and the Ziegfeld Follies. It
was also in 1934 that Ina Ray, with the help of Irving Mills,
began organizing her Melodear orchestra.
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Dubbed
as the only prominent female bandleader during the Big Band
era was INA RAY HUTTON AND HER ORCHESTRA and Ina Ray Hutton
and Her Melodears. This "all-girl" novelty Swing
orchestra, was led by a well-proportioned and undulating,
young blonde who became known for her music and seductive
on- Stage personality. Also an avid Jitterbug dancer, like
Cab Calloway would dance while she conducted her band. Her
All Female Band lasted from 1934-1939 (again in 1950) and
in 1940 started an all male band with her at the helm.
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