| Glenn Miller Orchestra | |
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Glenn Miller Orchestra, 2009. |
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| Background information | |
| Genres | Jazz, Big band |
| Years active | 1937–1944 1956–present |
| Website | www.glennmillerorchestra.com |
| Members | |
| Gary Tole, Leader Brian Hemstock Kevin Sheehan Nigel Yancey Walt Kross Damian Sanchez Ian O'Beirne Ashley Hall Nick Schroeder Steven Walters Reid Poole George Reinert Jaime Parker John Tyler Jason Bennett Theron Brown Kurt Kotheimer Holbrook Riles III |
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| Past members | |
| Bobby Hackett Dan Riley Glenn Miller Tex Beneke Beat Kaestli Ray McKinley Al Klink Maurice Purtill Lenny Hambro Eddie Durham Johnny Best Buddy DeFranco Peanuts Hucko Dick Lowenthal Buddy Morrow Jimmy Henderson Dick Gerhart Henry Mancini Gary Tole Clifford Shibly Jack Sperling Ray Eberle (vocal) Marion Hutton (vocal) The Modernaires (vocal group) Dale Orris Nick Hilscher Bill Barbour Dave Ryan Robbie Hioki Doug Cook Barry Springer Bill Barrett Mike Duva Julia Rich (vocal) Charlie Lee Jeff Hughes Roscoe Myers Jimmy Priddy Triger Alpert Willie Schwartz Billy May |
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The Glenn Miller Orchestra was originally formed in 1938 by Glenn Miller. It was arranged around a clarinet and tenor saxophone playing melody, while three other saxophones played the harmony. Miller had already formed one band before this in 1936, but dissolved it as he considered it too similar to other bands of the era.
The new band became very popular and recorded a number of chart successes — among these were the ever-popular, "Moonlight Serenade", "In the Mood", "Tuxedo Junction", "Chattanooga Choo Choo" and "(I've Got a Gal In) Kalamazoo."
After the disappearance (and presumed death) of Miller in 1944, the band was reconstituted under the direction of Tex Beneke, its lead tenor saxophonist, singer, and one of Miller's longtime close friends. A few years later, the Miller estate, having parted ways with Beneke, hired Ray McKinley, principal drummer in Miller's Army Air Force band, to organize a new "ghost band" in 1956.
Hollywood contributed to the band's immortality and that of its founder and original members with the 1953 release of The Glenn Miller Story on the big screen. Its popularity garnered award nominations and box office success, as well as top hit status for its soundtrack album in 1954.
The Glenn Miller Orchestra continued to record and perform under various leaders starting in 1956 and is still touring today. Currently trombonist Gary Tole leads the touring band.[1]
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