IWBC Pioneer: Betty
O’Hara
Betty O'Hara, termed herself as a 'mostly self-taught trumpet player'
... In 1947 Ms. O'Hara joined Al Gentile's big band in Connecticut,
playing trumpet, valve trombone, and writing arrangements and singing.
Then, in 1955, she accepted the trumpet chair with the Hartford
Symphony, where she stayed for five years..... She moved to California
in 1960 ... Betty O'Hara co-led the female jazz quintet, The Jazzbirds,
playing trombone, cornet and double-belled euphonium as well as writing
original material, arranging and singing ... Betty O'Hara passed away
on April 18, 2000. She will be missed by many but her legacy as a great
musician will live on.
Betty
O'Hara; Jazz Singer, Musician and Composer
Los Angeles Times
Obituary (May 10, 2000):Betty O'Hara, 74, versatile jazz musician,
singer and composer who co-founded a women's jazz quintet, The
Jazzbirds. O'Hara was considered a pioneer in the male-dominated world
of jazz. Born in Earl Park, Ind., she began playing the trumpet at 9.
She performed in the Hartford, Conn., symphony and other ensembles
before moving to Southern California in 1960 with her husband, bass
trombonist Barrett O'Hara ...
Australian
Jazz Musician Julie O'Hara
Vocalist, improvisor
and songwriter, Julie O'Hara has been active in jazz for almost twenty
years, growing up in Melbourne, Australia, performing with Big Bands,
gypsy swing, traditional jazz, R&B swing, bebop and vocalese.
O'Hara's
Jazz Cafe's 25-Year Collection
Locations: Las Olas
Blvd. Ft. Lauderdale and Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, Florida. 25-Year
Collection - Going Once! Going Twice ... GONE?
The James O'Hara
Blues Band
Performance at the
Shenstone Country Club, Birmingham Road, Shenstone WS14 0JR.
The
O'Hara's Band
The O'Hara's Band was
founded in 1995 in Antwerp (Belgium).
The
Original Jazz page at this site
Older version of this
page. Links may be broken.