Klein was born on October 19, 1915, in
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 Hutton's
Melodears; 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. == List of bands ==