|
Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZHUTTON, Ina Rae(b Odessa Cowan, 13 March '14, Chicago; d 19 Feb. '84, Ventura CA) Pianist, vocalist, bandleader. Daughter of pianist Marvel Ray; half-sister of singer June Hutton (b 11 Aug. c'20, Chicago; d 2 May '73, Encino CA; with Charlie Spivak, replaced Jo Stafford in the Pied Pipers; married cond./arr. Axel Stordahl). Ina Rae began as tap dancer in a Gus Edwards revue; later on Broadway in George White's Melody '34 and Ziegfield Follies of 1934, forming all-girl band that year. A slim blonde in clinging gowns, billed as "The Blonde Bombshell of Rhythm,' her main contribution was her baton-waving style, with some dance steps and a fair amount of wiggling. Band played all the important venues, did European tour, film shorts; she formed all-male band on eve of WWII, with arrangements by tenorman George Paxton (who later led own band from '44, with strings at first; later became music publisher). She disbanded after the war, married bandleader Randy Brooks '49, formed new band early '50s, divorced '57 and the band didn't last either. Her film appearances incl. Big Broadcast Of 1936, Ever Since Venus '44; she sang "Every Man A King' in Brother Can You Spare A Dime '74, a compilation of Depression- era film clips and newsreels. |