By Tanith L. Balaban
Arizona Daily Wildcat
February 26, 1998

The Miller mystique

Are you "In the Mood" for swing? Then "Come Rain or Come Shine" grab your "String of Pearls" and your favorite dance partner and swing over to the Tucson Convention Center Ballroom at 8 tomorrow night. For $23 you can get down with the big band sounds of the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

"I Know Why" the Glenn Miller Orchestra has been called the best big band of all time. With a repertoire of over 1,700 compositions and about 300 tour dates every year, the group has reached more and more people since its start in 1938.

If you've never heard the music of the 19-member Glenn Miller Orchestra, it's composed like this: the clarinet is the main melody holder, with one or two tenor saxophones playing the same lines; harmonies are created by three other saxophones and then trumpets and trombones add flair and accent; rhythm is supplied by piano, bass and drums; vocals are supplied by one female and one male vocalist. Sound good? You're not the only one who thinks so - about a half a million people hear them play every year. Fun fact for the day: in 1941, the Glenn Miller Orchestra had more hit records than anyone else in the history of the recording industry.

But now, take a second for "A Sentimental Journey" through the not-so-picture-perfect past of the Glenn Miller Orchestra. When the first band started in 1937, it was a financial disaster. It was replaced the year after with a second band that is still going strong today. The Glenn Miller Orchestra was one of the most successful dance bands back when swing was king in the 1930s and 1940s. Miller joined the Army and created the Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band. Unfortunately, in 1944, Miller disappeared in a flight from England to France and the orchestra disbanded. But wait, it's not over - in 1956 the Miller Estate revived the Glenn Miller Orchestra and Ray McKinley took over.

"At Last" this brings us up to current times. Larry O'Brien returned to the role of band leader for the Glenn Miller Orchestra in 1988, after a 5-year absence because of other commitments to the Al Ramsey Orchestra and the Russ Gary Big Band Express. Previously, he was the band leader from 1981 to 1983.

Not all songs to be played tomorrow originate from the Glenn Miller Orchestra, but they will be played with the Miller mystique. For more information on the show, call the Tucson Jazz Society, or if you just want to take the plunge and buy tickets, call Dillard's or the TCC Box Office at 791-4266.

"Adios."