Maurice Purtill

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article does not cite any references or sources. (February 2007)
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

Maurice Purtill (May 4, 1916–March 9, 1994) was an American drummer who is best known today as Glenn Miller’s featured drummer from 1938 to 1942. According to Scott Yanow in his biography on Maurice Purtill, Purtill "was a solid accompanist, although he tended to be a bit bombastic during his solo features with Miller." He was also known for his high quality brush work.

Born in Huntington, New York, Purtill dropped out of high school and started out as a freelance drummer in New York Studios. He would then go on to play with Red Norvo in 1936. Purtill's big break came when he played in Glenn Miller's first (and unsuccessful) band in 1936. Purtill then went on to play with Tommy Dorsey until 1938. After his stint with Dorsey, he rejoined Miller, where he remained until 1942, appearing on virtually all of Miller’s hit records. While with Miller, he appeared in two films, Sun Valley Serenade (1941), and Orchestra Wives (1942).

After the breakup of Miller's band in 1942, Purtill went on to play with Kay Kyser until 1944, then joined the Navy. After his discharge, he played briefly with Tex Beneke’s band. Purtill mostly recorded in the studios, where he sometimes participated in various Miller projects. He resided in New York City until the early 1970s, when he relocated to Florida.

He was married twice; the first time was to singer Nancy Flake. They had two children, John and William (Bill) Purtill. He remarried in 1970 to Lida Pavlik, and together they had a son, Tom born in 1973. The couple moved to Fair Lawn, New Jersey. Purtill retired in 1978. He died in Ridgewood, New Jersey.

v • d • e Jazz music

Genres	Acid jazz • Asian American jazz • Avant-garde jazz • Bebop • Crossover jazz • Dixieland • Calypso jazz • Chamber jazz • Cool jazz • Free jazz • Gypsy jazz • Hard bop • Jazz blues • Jazz-funk • Jazz fusion • Jazz rap • Latin jazz • Mainstream jazz • Modal jazz • M-Base • Nu jazz • Smooth jazz • Soul jazz • Ska jazz • Swing • Trad jazz • West Coast jazz

Topics	Jazz piano • Jazz guitar • Jazz drumming • Jazz standard • Jazz royalty • Jazz band • Big band • "Jazz"

Lists	Standards • Albums • Genres • Festivals • Clubs

Lists of Musicians	Musicians • Bassists • Trumpeters • Saxophonists • Drummers • Guitarists • Pianists • Vocalists • Clarinetists • Trombonists • Jazz fusion artists • Smooth jazz