My mother's name is Jeannette. She is 90 years old now and lives with me.
She was 1st trumpet with both Phil Spitalny and the Ina Ray Hutton band.
If you have any questions for her, I'll be glad to enter her responses here for you.

Dear Sly Fox,

It's a common misconception, as you'll see below, that this page hosts only a "small article." Many who mistake this page for a "small article" unfortunately believe that the only evidence presented to document Ina's blackness is the hunch of the reporter: me. But this page exists to host an audio report, which you can hear when you click "listen" or "download." When you do so, you will hear a report that summarizes original document investigation that demonstrates Ina was not only recorded as black by Census takers, but that she and her family socialized as black, from before her birth, through her childhood. You may find it easier to read a summary of the research at: http://blackpast.org/?q=aah%2Fhutton-ina-ray-nee-odessa-cowan-1916-1984

Phyllis,

I would love to talk with you to learn more about Ina Ray Hutton. Please email me at: ritzm@unlv.nevada.edu

Thank you!

Phyllis~

I would love to talk with you about your interview with Susan, and to possibly interview you to ask some questions about Ina Ray Hutton. Please email me at: ritzm@unlv.nevada.edu

Thank you!

@ Sly Fox and the rest who are annoyed at this. You who made this comment that a person can be 99% white and 1% black and black people will make the person "black" You FORGET your history. The ONE DROP RULE was created by whites to discriminate against people with mixed ancestry. (GOOGLE IT). There is no doubt that her white ancestry was more dominant in her features than her black, but if you look at the times in which she lived, if that information ever got out she would be discriminated against not by blacks but by WHITES. Carol Channing's father was black and her mother (Who was white) warned her if she had children, her children could come out black. So Carol kept her ancestry a secret. Again I say, the people of mixed ancestry who "passed" did it because of the hostility of WHITES in that time not black. Can blacks be racist? Of course, but the DIFFERENCE between white racism and black racism is that whites in that time had the POWER to limit your opportunities if it was discovered you had ONE DROP of black blood. So if you are going to complain about blacks being to quick to adopt someone as black because their grandmother was black, they why don't more whites step up to claim these talents as their own despite their mixed ancestry? ********CRICKETS***********

I find this small article to be so one sided. Next, you’ll try to tell us that Johnnie Ray was black also. It is so easy to say anything about people who are dead and they cannot shed some light on their pasts and origins. Who's to say she did not prefer her white roots over her black roots?! No one knows because she is dead and we'll never know what she really felt like. Maybe she loved all of her roots, but we'll never know. It is obvious that this person has more white roots than black roots. It does not take a genius to see that. I have no problem with people origins, but African American will call a person black even if the person is 99% white and 1% black. They are just as prejudiced as the little white folks. They are pushing their own interpretation of facts on dead people lives and they can twist these facts to their advantage because no one is there to say otherwise. I don’t care about her origins. I love her since the first time I discovered her on YouTube and that won’t change. I have seen some black people living positive comments on YouTube now that they know she is of black origin. They would not even give a second glance at her if no one said anything. How disturbing and hypocrite is that? Extremely!

She was not black obviously idiots... She is white with African ancestors.. in fact its been long proven that ALL white people have African genes... Thus her real secret was not letting it be known that she had a close Africa genetic ties... She was white... look at her skin numb nuts... If at all she did have some color that she found ways to conceal.. she still would not be black... She would have been mixed... mulatto with a secret... Thus stfu and stop trying to tie her into some shyt...

This is an absolutely true story. I just finished a documentary, THE GIRLS IN THE BAND in which Ina Ray Hutton is featured. I spoke to still living members of the band and it was common knowledge that Ina Ray's mother was of mixed race. Which in the parlance of that day meant Black.

Roberlto from Florida,

It DOES make her Black. There are countless people like Hutton. I have people in my family where one sibling is brown and obviously black and the other is blonde haired and blue eyes (same parents). This is nothing new. This country has already ascribed to the one-drop rule and it still does. Can't change the rules now. Too much history and too much confusion. Ina Ray Hutton was a black person that "passed for white". Tons did post-slavery!

'Passing' for adorable and talented. The people who are 'analyzing' her looks and voice are just silly and archaic. It's a sad part of our history that must be known.

Dear Richard: I think you are referring the copy in the lead paragraph. It describes my initial hunch that Ina "might have been" black. The full story is an audio piece you can hear when you click the "listen" or "download" links above Ina's photo.

Forgive me if I have given instructions you do not need. I give them because if you hear the story, you understand that it is quite genuine and well-sourced, because in the story you hear a summary of the research I did to investigate my hunch.

I agree that Billy Tipton's story is genuine and dramatic as well. Thank you for including her in the legacy of fine women musicians who passed.

Poorly sourced story. It's all based on "might have been"?

A much more dramatic, and genuine, story of a "passing" jazz musician:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Tipton

Dear Nichele, I will tell Susan you asked! She has at least one story for you. :) I love the comments. . . tell your friends & keep it goin'!

racial purity is a joke. go back far enough in any family tree and at some point you find a different "race". If Ina Ray Hutton had to say she was white to be acceptable to society in the 1930's then I am glad she did or we most likely would not have here legacy today. More power to her if she put one over on the "man"

Several people mentioned that someone who looked as white as Ms. Hutton couldn't possibly be Black. That's the whole point. In order to pass looking as white as possible is what makes it doable. Once I read a line I've never forgotten. A grandmother told her granddaughter,"In our race we have them from snow to crow."

I realize that some non-blacks may not understand this but if they look at history they will see that "passing" for what you are not has happened for centuries through out the world. The sad part is that they no connection to their history for financial gain or ease of living. I't sad! I would like to know what the niece is doing to find out about her hidden heritage? Thank you for the story Phyllis.....

This story could have easily been the root of another popular tale, 'Some Like It Hot'. Billy Wilder was telling this story in a more socially acceptable way with the use of men 'passing' as women. Of course there are other themes apparent in Wilder's story, but the same basic story, it is. Could he have had that metaphor in mind?

To those who may doubt the historic veracity of very "white" appearing people being legally designated as "black," consider the example of Walter Francis White who, not only could easily pass for white, but who infiltrated the Klan to investigate lynchings and who was actually head of the NAACP for over 20 years. There are innumerable stories like those of White and Hutton.
(www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Francis_White)

The ability or need to pass for white points up the absurdities of a self-propagating system in America whereby, largely for reasons of economic advantage for whites, no acknowledgement of persons of mixed race could be allowed. One had to be either "white" or "black."

Dear Monroe, thank you! I agree! She was great regardless of how anyone might define her! If you see this comment I hope you'll tell us if you saw her perform live & in person? How wonderful for us if you can tell us about that time!

I Posted a Message About ReReReReadin'
Christmas Carol & Of The Allistar Sims
Film !!!! & "Scroogie" Bloomberg !!! to help
NYC instead of His Budget "Fireings' !!!!!
So
I Almost Didn't See The Longer Right Side >
& Then I had The DELIGHT to SEE
Something That's a Real Delight - It Doesn't Matter - Whatever She Was -
She Was a Great Performer Worth Enjoying Fully & Some
of her Orchestra were Women ? !!!!!!
I remember Phil Spitalmy (?) & Hazel Scott
Thanks ! I went to Troy Davis Gathering at Riverside Church !!!!!!

Dear hlee82, I agree. I do not see those facial features in the film, nor in any film of her that I've seen.

Dear "pc," the report you heard is authentic to my experience of learning about Ina Ray Hutton and seeing her for the first time. I understand why it may not reflect others' experiences. The photo I describe in the story is unlike any other I've seen of her. I have not noticed any "giveaway" features as prominently in any other photo online. The professor you hear in the story has more to say about how she used her behind in costuming and dance. It was not so much about the shape of her behind as how she drew attention to it. So "havin' that booty" is in the eye of the beholder, you could say. As for how "easy" it was for her to pass, we'll never truly know. Certainly if you define "ease" by others' lack of ability to detect any blackness, yes, that was very easy for her--as long as she kept her hair blonde and straight, which was *not* easy in those days and required daily attention. As for how "easy" it was emotionally, we'll likely never know.

By watching this video, I don't see how you can possibly think she was anything but white. Big forehead and round cheeks?? I don't see that at all. There is not a trace of African features in her face. Her skin is white as snow.

the studio 360 report on Hutton was pretty misleading. After i heard it, i went online and saw several photos, and videos of Hutton performing. She was terrific and beautiful. BUT...contrary to what was stated in the studio 360 show, she did NOT have a prominent behind, nor full lips, as would be typical of an African American. They made it sound like she had a figure like Beyonce or something. NOT EVEN CLOSE! and her skin color was whiter than white. It was obviously very, very easy for her to "pass".
you can see how "racial" categories truly have no meaning, if someone that white can be thought of as black!

P.S. Robelto, the Census marked Ina's mother and grandmother as black and negro in the years that the Census did not use the term "mulatto."

Dear Robelto, thank you for your comment. I had some similar questions at first. But then when I read about her and her family in the Chicago Defender, those questions changed. The feature and articles written by, and about, her and her family when she was a child, demonstrate that her family socialized as black, and were very much part of black life in Chicago. It then appears that her mom (and grandma) decided *for* her (and her sister) that Odessa's/Ina's blackness would no longer be part of her identity. Whether one calls this "identifying as black" and then "passing" is surely an individual choice. Given the historical context of 1930s Chicago, and the music business in the US at the time, I think it is fair to say that's what they had decided Odessa/Ina should do. I agree that this brings up many questions about who defines race(s) and how those definitions matter.

How archaic! Come on she was passing as White?! She may have some Black blood, however, that does not make her "Black" Thats the old slave master rule of 1 drop so he could obtain more slaves. Biologically a Mulatto and a Black person are different, its common sense, the old rule is so indoctrinated into American culture among the older generation especially. There are so many White Americans that have Black,Asian and American Indian ancestry and they are still White. Phenotype and skin color has a lot to do with determining race, not just a little mix. Its an oxymoron, White passing as Black. Don't take the Blackness from the West African!; their phenotype, natural black skin and redefining it making it lighter/Caucasian. Passing means success, out of the perceived negative. Her culture is White as that is what she identified as and never claimed to be anything else. Also American Indian and White mixture were considered Mulattoes also in some periods.

Dear Phyllis,

First of all, thank you! This was an enlightening and entertaining piece, and my playlist just gained a new favorite. The excitement of your discovery is contagious. My main concern in this discussion is with terminology. The whole idea of “passing” seems to me one that, while appropriate in the context of the thirties, we must be very careful about today. It is obvious from your research that Ina Ray was of mixed descent. Most African Americans are. The term “passing” is so mired in racial reasoning, particularly the one-drop rule. I believe in a contemporary discussion of race we must be careful about too much racial reasoning, lest we give these terms and ideas undue weight. The whole idea of “passing” characterizes the mixed race experience as illegitimate, as if the person doing the “passing” was an impostor, marked indelibly in their blood by the human stain of African descent. Digging up these figures from the past, it enlightens us as to the legitimacy of the mixed race experience and the unfair, even ridiculous, nature of racial reasoning. Ina’s story is the perfect metaphor for the American experience at-large.
Thanks again.

My ears perked up when I heard you mention Ina this morning in the intro of your fine show. I used to watch her on TV. She was televised from the Aragon Ballroom, I think, in Santa Monica, CA in the 50's. I was a young kid living in Pasadena in love with pop/theatre music and thought she was glamorous and talented. How interesting it was to find out about her roots and how long she'd been in the biz. It would have made no difference to me what color she was. She was just nifty and full of verve!

Kristin, thank you for sharing that other all-girl bands had been recorded on film before the Melodears!

Thank you so much for this. Just think what this amazingly talented lady was able to do that we would not have ever seen IF in those days they had known. What a history lesson! We need to keep remembering those lessons.

Thanks so much.

Thanks for posting this fascinating piece and important addition to the biography of Ina Ray Hutton. Her passing would seem to speak to the complex racial, cultural and gendered strategies adopted by innovative and highly talented performing women in those decades. By the way, Hutton's Melodears was not the first all-girl band to be recorded on film: Paramount and other film companies made shorts of other vaudeville style all-girl jazz bands most notably the Ingenues which were equally famous in the 1920s (see McGee's Some Liked it Hot: Jazz Women in Film and Television - http://www.upne.com/0-8195-6907-0.html).

Dear Patricia, may I recommend the liner notes of the latest 3-CD set of her work, _Ina Ray Hutton: The Definitive Collection_. Athan Maroulis was very thorough in assembling them. Kristin McGee also answers your questions in her book _Some Liked it Hot_. I'm glad I could introduce you to a "new" artist!

Dear Lyn, thank you for your contribution to this discussion. I love your story about your friend who still "passes!" I have found myself in that position--not being aware of it until someone says something that makes me realize I'm passing. Also, my friend Elliott Lewis has a book called "Fade" that talks about his parents' generation in the way you describe those before us who identify as black. It's a great thing for us to remember as we analyze how race has come to be constructed.

The background story -- who was Ina Ray's agent, and how was her band assembled -- is what interests me more. Was this a tap dancer who needed her own live music, or a band who needed a frontsperson, or a band conductor who collected woman players, or women musicians who recruited her, or a wily showbiz promoter who dreamed up and assembled the Melodears?

Phyllis, unfortunately white people cannot fathom how someone who looks so white could be from another culture, another race. I was born in 1946 during a time before intergration when "high yella" society still existed in the African American community. There were many "mulatto" people in our family and community and a lot of times when it was time to marry they chose very light skinned people to be their mates. Even today I have cousins that appear other than black and if you would see them you would swear they are white. I have a friend that passes every day without even trying and she told me that her mission is to spy on white and tell us how they really feel about us and what they say about us when they think we're not around. This group of people from another generation idenitify as being black, unlike today's "bi-racials" who usually have a white mother and a black father. Many in my family did'nt consciously seek to "pass", instead society decided for them as some live in very integrated areas. My advice to Mel and others that do not know our history is to listen to us that experience a different reality because it is in our blood and we know what we know. You come to our next family reunion and I promise you it will be a mind blowing experience.

P.S. And the family she and her sister lived with was their birth family, as established through birth certificates.

Dear Mel, thanks for your comment. The Census called Ina's mother, grandmother, and sister "black," "mulatto," or "negro." The terms varied in the different censuses from 1900 to 1930. Her father was "mulatto" or "white," depending on which document he was filling out (or was being filled out for him). Ina and her family members were featured in the Chicago Defender (the black newspaper) several times, until she was discovered by a white vaudeville producer. The anecdote you've read is consistent with a narrative that would have developed to help someone pass.

After watching the video and looking at other photos of Ina, there's no evidence that supports that she was black. I've read that she shared a home in a black community in Chicago, and that the census listed her as "black", because of this living arrangement.