Frances Klein
Encyclopedia
Frances Klein, also known as Frances Siskin (born October 19, 1915) is a female jazz musician who began her career in the early 1930s. She played trumpet in a number of jazz bands (most notably the all-female bands led by Irene Vermillion and Ina Ray Hutton
).
's All-Girl Traveling Band; after which, she returned again to Cleveland where she performed in a variety of local venues as a part of the Cleveland Women's Orchestra. Around that time, she was also the sole female member of Freddie Shafer's band. Klein led a number of bands. On February 22, 1945, she married David Siskin and legally changed her name to Frances Siskin. In the late seventies, the Siskins moved to Jacksonville, Florida, where Klein continued playing trumpet in groups including the Jacksonville Bulls Pep Band, the Jacksonville Gator Pep Band, and a senior citizen's band known as High Society.
Ina Ray Hutton
Ina Ray Hutton was an American female leader during the Big band era, and sister to June Hutton.Hutton was born as Odessa Cowan in Chicago, Illinois of African American descent. She began dancing and singing in stage revues at the age of eight. Cowan's mother Marvel Ray was a local pianist and...
).
Biography
Frances Klein is a native of Cleveland, Ohio where she played trumpet in the Glenville High School Band. Around 1935, she was invited to play in Kermit Dart's All-Girl Band, which was led by Irene Vermillion. Klein traveled the country for two years with Vermillion's dance act/revue, "Rhapsody in Red." Upon returning to Cleveland, she was invited to tour with Ina Ray HuttonIna Ray Hutton
Ina Ray Hutton was an American female leader during the Big band era, and sister to June Hutton.Hutton was born as Odessa Cowan in Chicago, Illinois of African American descent. She began dancing and singing in stage revues at the age of eight. Cowan's mother Marvel Ray was a local pianist and...
's All-Girl Traveling Band; after which, she returned again to Cleveland where she performed in a variety of local venues as a part of the Cleveland Women's Orchestra. Around that time, she was also the sole female member of Freddie Shafer's band. Klein led a number of bands. On February 22, 1945, she married David Siskin and legally changed her name to Frances Siskin. In the late seventies, the Siskins moved to Jacksonville, Florida, where Klein continued playing trumpet in groups including the Jacksonville Bulls Pep Band, the Jacksonville Gator Pep Band, and a senior citizen's band known as High Society.
List of Bands
- Kermit Dart's All-Girl Band with Irene Vermillion
- Ina Ray Hutton's All-Girl Traveling Band
- The Melodears
- Cleveland Women's Orchestra
- Frances Klein's All-Girl Orchestra
- Frances Klein and Her Formal Swingsters
- Frances Klein and Her Moderniers
- Frances Klein and Her Rhythm Boys
- United States Marine Band
- Frances Klein's All-Girl TV Band
- Jacksonville Bulls Pep Band
- Jacksonville Gator Pep Band