The first Glenn Miller Orchestra did not make it at all. It was a
total and absolute economic failure. But Glenn knew what he wanted,
held to that dedication and relentlessly worked to succeed. He
launched his second band – the one that lives on today – in March
of 1938. The Glenn Miller Orchestra has been a “hit” ever since.
The legendary Glenn Miller was one of the most successful of all dance
bandleaders back in the Swing Era of the 1930’s and 40’s. A
matchless string of hit records, the constant impact of radio
broadcasts and the drawing power at theatres, hotels and dance
pavilion, built and sustained the momentum of popularity. Glenn
disbanded his musical organization in 1942 at the height of its
popularity to volunteer for the Army. There, he organized and led the
famous Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band. It went to Europe to
entertain servicemen performing numerous live and radio shows. On
December 15, 1944, Major Miller took off in a single engine plane from
Europe to precede his band to France, disappearing over the English
Channel, never to be seen again. The army declared him officially dead
a year later. With the release of the major motion movie The Glenn
Miller Story featuring Jimmy Stewart and June Allyson in 1954,
interest and popular demand led the Miller Estate to authorize the
formation of the present Glenn Miller Orchestra. On June 6, 1956, and
under the direction of drummer Ray McKinley who had become the
unofficial leader of the Army Air Force Band after Glenn’s
disappearance, the reformed Glenn Miller Orchestra performed its first
concert and has been on the road ever since. Other leaders have
followed Ray including clarinetists Buddy DeFranco and Peanuts Hucko,
trombonists Buddy Morrow, Jimmy Henderson, Larry O’Brien and Gary
Tole, and tenor saxophonist Dick Gerhart. Since January 2012, vocalist
Nick Hilscher leads the band. Today, the 18 member ensemble continues
to play many of the original Miller arrangements both from the
civilian band and the AAFB libraries. Additionally, it also plays some
more modern selections arranged and performed in the Miller style and
sound. Just as it was in Glenn’s day, the Glenn Miller Orchestra
today is still the most sought after big band in the world. Sponsored
by Jackson National Life
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12/03/2017 Last update