Glenn Miller Orchestra
The Glenn Miller Orchestra, 2009.
The Glenn Miller Orchestra, 2009.
Background information
GenresJazz, Big band
Years active1956–present
MembersErik Stabnau, Jenny Swoish, Kevin Sheehan, Gary Meggs, Connor Baba, Ashley Hall, Chris Stein, Matt Gates, Joe Young IV, George Reinert III, Dave Ashley, Mike DeSousa, Byron McChord, Dean Schweiger
Past membersDon New, Dan Riley, Tex Beneke, Ray McKinley, Lenny Hambro, Peanuts Hucko, Dick Lowenthal, Buddy Morrow, Jimmy Henderson, Dick Gerhart, Henry Mancini, Larry O'Brien, Chris Fortner, Derek Kwong, Lee Taylor, Walt Kross, Bill Kotrba, Tim Pence, Cary Sheley, Steve Bleifuss, Andrew Burdick, David Bobroff, Terry Frenz II, Steve Molloy, Mike Manthey, Graham Breedlove, Jeff Wilfore, Alex Norris, Joe Weber, Rudy Petschauer, Jeremy Manasia, Tom McDonough, Tim Albright, Gary Tole, Clifford Shibly, Jack Sperling, Beat Kaestli, 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, Wally Besser, Darrell Hendricks, Larry Newman, Steve McCallum, Clayton Lucovich, Holbrook Riles III, Joel Linscheid, Jon Rees, Jonathan McQuade, Nigel Yancey, Dylan Schwab, Patrick Hession, Seth Lewis, Shawn Williams, James Navan, Betty Grable, Buck Clayton, Hoagy Carmichael, Art Tatum, Dominic "Nick" Barulli, Elliot Scozzaro, Karl Stabnau, Abdullah Ebrahim, Hayden Mapel, Ron Mills, Louie Leager, Gil Scott Chapman, Dan Gabel, Brad Black, Natalie Angst (vocal).
Websitewww.glennmillerorchestra.com

The Glenn Miller Orchestra is a band formed after the loss of Glenn Miller, named in memory of him and the original Glenn Miller Orchestra.

History

1947 revival

There was a short revival of a band named Glenn Miller Orchestra in the 1940s.

Glenn Miller broke up the original Glenn Miller Orchestra in 1942 to join the United States Army Air Forces and lead the Major Glenn Miller Army Air Forces Orchestra. Miller died in 1944. in 1946, Miller's widow had a new band formed under the name Glenn Miller Orchestra, led by Miller's saxophonist and vocalist Tex Beneke.[1][2]

Many members of Miller's Army Air Forces Orchestra joined the band, which until 1948 featured a large string section as had Miller's Army Air Forces band (but unlike the original Glenn Miller Orchestra). The band was successful, but Beneke didn't like having to follow Miller's old arrangements precisely, and soon left the band to form his own ("Tex Beneke and His Orchestra: Playing the Music Made Famous by Glenn Miller"), and the band dissolved.[3][2]

1956 and on

There was a second revival of the name Glenn Miller Orchestra in 1956, which has continued well into the 21st century. It is this version with which this article is primarily concerned.

After the release of the successful film The Glenn Miller Story, Miller's widow invited Ray McKinley, who had assumed leadership of the Major Glenn Miller Army Air Forces Orchestra 1945, to lead a new Glenn Miller Orchestra. McKinley recruited Will Bradley as featured trombonist, and they remained with the Miller band until 1966.

The Glenn Miller Orchestra has recorded and performed under various leaders, from 1956 to this day. Clarinetist Buddy DeFranco became the musical director in 1966.[4]

Larry O'Brien served as director of the World-Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra from 1981 to 1983 and from 1988 to 2010.[5]

Singer Nick Hilscher became the director of the touring band in 2012, replacing previous director Gary Tole. Saxophonist/vocalist Erik Stabnau became music director in August 2021.

The Glenn Miller estate has authorized other bands to perform as "The Glenn Miller Orchestra" internationally. These groups are based in England, Europe, and Scandinavia.

Members of the American band

Current as of 2022[6]

  • Erik Stabnau – Music Director / Vocalist / Tenor Saxophone
  • Jenny Swoish – Female Vocalist
  • Kevin Sheehan – Lead Alto Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Arranger
  • Gary Meggs – 2nd Alto Saxophone, Clarinet
  • Allen Cordingley – Tenor Saxophone 1, Clarinet, Flute
  • Justin Williams – Tenor Saxophone 2, Clarinet, flute
  • Connor Baba – Baritone Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Flute
  • Ashley Hall – Lead Trumpet
  • Matthew Gates – Split Lead /2nd Trumpet
  • Joe Young IV – Jazz/3rd Trumpet
  • Christopher Stein – Trumpet /4th Trumpet
  • George Reinert III – Lead Trombone
  • Dave Ashley – 2nd Trombone
  • Dan Gabel – 3rd Trombone
  • Michael DeSousa – Bass Trombone, 4th Trombone
  • Gil Scott Chapman – Piano/Sound Tech
  • Dean Schweiger – Drums
  • Charlie Himel – Upright Bass

Discography

Albums

References

  1. ↑ "Tex Beneke, 86, a Leader of Glenn Miller's Band". New York Times. Associated Press. May 31, 2000. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  2. 1 2 All About Jazz. "Tex Beneke". Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Tex Beneke". American Music Research Center, University of Colorado at Boulder. May 3, 2022. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Buddy DeFranco". glennmillerorchestra.com. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Larry O'Brien". glennmillerorchestra.com. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  6. ↑ "Personnel". Glenn Miller Orchestra. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  7. ↑ "The Glenn Miller Orchestra - in the Digital Mood". Discogs. 1983.
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