In Memoriam: Betty O’Hara

Betty O’Hara passed away on April 18, 2000. During the opening concert of the conference, she was posthumously awarded the Pioneer Recognition Award. Susan Slaughter accepted the award on her behalf, and also read a beautiful letter about Betty written by her husband, Barrett O’Hara.

Mrs. O’Hara described herself as a “mostly self-taught trumpet player.” She was a versatile jazz musician and singer, playing a myriad of instruments. These included not only the members of the trumpet family, but also the trombone, valve trombone, and the double-bell euphonium. Mrs. O’Hara’s accomplishments were numerous, and included the founding of the women’s jazz quintet, The Jazzbirds. She was also a charter member of the big band, Maiden Voyage, and played with the Hartford Symphony (Connecticut) for five years.

Her performing experiences took her all over the country, and included playing the USO circuit, hotels, clubs, theaters, and ballrooms in the Midwest with Freddie Schafer’s all girl band. With Maiden Voyage, she appeared on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Mrs. O’Hara was also a frequent guest artist at many of the Los Angeles Classic Jazz Festivals, and took part in judging young jazz musicians for scholarships offered by the festival.

Barret O’Hara’s Letter to the IWBC:

To the assembled artists of the International Women’s Brass Conference:

I sincerely regret being unable to join you today. Marie Speziale’s gracious invitation came at an inopportune time for me. Allow me, however to send you a few lines of appreciation for your award to Betty as a pioneer among women brass players.

She surely was a pioneer, from the time she left Earl Park, Indiana a few weeks before her scheduled graduation from high school – going on USO tours with Freddie Shaffer’s “The Victory Sweethearts”– to going on to the Hartford Symphony, to doing TV and movies and records and working countless jazz festivals both here and abroad, plus a lot of gigs best forgotten.

After Betty appeared before you in Saint Louis, at the kind invitation of Susan Slaughter, she came home to tell about how warmly she had been welcomed, how well her set had been received, and how she had felt deeply honored to be asked to play before such a discerning audience.

I said, “You didn’t even take your trumpet with you.”

She said, “They didn’t ask me to play it.”

So she didn’t. It was okay. (*see Editor’s note below)

Now you do her the further honor. She would be so pleased and so proud. as are we, the kids and I. We thank you for the recognition you are giving to a pioneer, a pro, and a trouper. In Betty’s book “trouper” is highest praise.

Carry on, all you troupers!

Barrett O’Hara

*Editor’s note: Betty O’Hara shared a master class at the 1997 IWBC with Marvin Stamm and Clora Bryant. She also performed during an impromptu jam session at the end of the DIVA concert. As there were already several trumpeters soloing, she gratiously performed at the request of Susan Slaughter on valve-trombone to feature her on a contrasting instrument.