The big bands are back
in a new and exciting way!
MARCH 2014 "BIG BAND NEWS"
compiled by Music Librarian
CHRISTOPHER POPA
The Chronology Continues
MILLER'S MIGHTY SERVICE BAND
The ensemble in focus
by Roland Taylor
D A T E L I N E ( M O N ) 6TH N O V E M B E R 1 9 4 4
EMI Studio, Abbey Road, London, England
OWI recording session for ABSIE network
Major Glenn Miller and the American Band of the AEF
Propaganda recordings for broadcast to German soldiers.
Dialogue in German by Ilse Weinberger (German female announcer) and Major Glenn Miller.
Programme 2 aired on 15th November 1944 from 1:30-2:00 pm EWT and Programme 3 aired 22nd November 1944 from 1:30-2:00 pm on the German Wehrmacht Hour.
MOONLIGHT SERENADE / AMERICAN PATROL Programme 1, Record 2
SUMMERTIME Programme 2, Record 2
TUXEDO JUNCTION Programme 2, Record 3
NOW I KNOW (voc: Johnny Desmond, in German) Programme 2, Record 4
BEGIN THE BEGUINE Programme 2, Record 5
ANVIL CHORUS Programme 2, Record 6
MOONLIGHT SERENADE Programme 3, Record 1
HERE WE GO AGAIN Programme 3, Record 2
MY HEART TELLS ME (SHOULD I BELIEVE MY HEART?) (voc: Johnny Desmond,
in German) Programme 3, Record 3
A STRING OF PEARLS Programme 3, Record 4
STORMY WEATHER Programme 3, Record 5
DIALOGUE: verbal introduction to POINCIANA (SONG OF THE TREE) and closing
to programme
After POINCIANA (SONG OF THE TREE) Programme 3, Record 6
POINCIANA (SONG OF THE TREE) (voc: Artie Malvin & The Crew Chiefs)
Programme 3, Record 7
6th NOVEMBER 1944 (MON) 7:15-7:30pm
BBC Maida Vale Studio, London, England
“STRINGS WITH WINGS” broadcast, AEFP
Sr Adrian Boult conducting the string section
I SUSTAIN THE WINGS [ opening theme ] / SERENADE SUITE FOR STRINGS (FIRST
MOVEMENT) / CLOUDS NOCTURNE / ANNIE LAURIE / I SUSTAIN THE WINGS
[ closing theme ]
Major Miller invited Sir Adrian Boult to conduct the above, live “Strings with Wings” broadcast and, as a result of that, Maurice Gorham, Director of the AEF Programme, informed Colonel Davd Niven (who was Associate Director – he replaced Colonel Ed Kirby who was recalled to Washington) that Major Miller should not have approached BBC personnel directly but should have proceeded through the correct routine channels! In a post-war radio documentary, Sir Adrian Boult said, “I was conducting the BBC Symphony and our headquarters were in Bedford, so I saw quite a lot of the Miller band. I often dropped in on their rehearsals – they used the Corn Exchange as we did. I found it fascinating to watch Glenn Miller at work. He was a thorough craftsman – he knew just what he wanted from his band and how to get it, and he didn’t mind how hard he worked himself or them. Of course it was the string section which interested me the most. Twenty players, all from famous orchestras – there were some who had played with me in America. Glenn Miller asked me if I would like to conduct ‘Strings with Wings.’ I was delighted to, and I still remember that programme we did in November 1944.”
7th NOVEMBER 1944 (TUE) 6:30-7:00 pm
Co-Partners Hall, Bedford
“THE SWING SHIFT” broadcast, AEFP
T/Sgt Ray McKinley and the American Dance Band
SONG AND DANCE (voc: Ray McKinley) [ opening theme ] / BREAKIN’ IN A NEW PAIR OF SHOES / STAR DUST / HAVE YA GOT ANY GUM, CHUM? (voc: The Crew Chiefs) / I DREAM OF YOU (MORE THAN YOU DREAM I DO) (voc: Johnny Desmond) / NOBODY’S SWEETHEART NOW (trio: Hucko, Powell, McKinley) / THE DAY AFTER FOREVER (voc: Johnny Desmond) / SWEET AND SLOW (voc: Ray McKinley) / EVERYBODY LOVES MY BABY / SONG AND DANCE (voc: Ray McKinley) [ closing theme ]
8th NOVEMBER 1944 (WED) 6:15-6:30pm
Co-Partners Hall, Bedford
“THE UPTOWN HALL” broadcast, AEFP
S/Sgt Mel Powell and the American Swing Sextet
MY GUY’S COME BACK [ opening theme ] / SONG OF THE WANDERER / SHANDY / ONE, TWO, BUTTON YOUR SHOE (quartet: Hucko, Powell, Alpert, McKinley) / LIMEHOUSE BLUES (featuring S/Sgt Mel Powell) / MY GUY’S COME BACK [ closing theme ]
Note: Original script shows that WHEN YOUR LOVER HAS GONE (voc: Johnny Desmond) was inserted after ONE, TWO, BUTTON YOUR SHOE.
8th NOVEMBER 1944 (WED) 7:45-8:00 pm
Co-Partners Hall, Bedford
“STRINGS WITH WINGS” broadcast, AEFP
S/Sgt George Ockner and the string section
I SUSTAIN THE WINGS [ opening theme ] / SPRING WILL BE A LITTLE LATE THIS YEAR / MOOD INDIGO / MY ROMANCE / I SUSTAIN THE WINGS [ closing theme ]
Note: Original script shows that PLEASE was inserted after MOOD INDIGO.
9th NOVEMBER 1944 (THU) 8:30-9:00 pm
Queensberry All-Services Club, London, England
“AMERICAN BAND OF THE AEF” broadcast, AEFP, AFN, and BBC-GFP
Major Glenn Miller and the American Band of the AEF
MOONLIGHT SERENADE [ opening theme ] / JEEP JOCKEY JUMP / IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU (voc: Johnny Desmond) / ON BRAVE OLD ARMY TEAM / medley: LONDONDERRY AIR – SPRING WILL BE A LITTLE LATE THIS YEAR (voc: Johnny Desmond) – CHEROKEE (INDIAN LOVE SONG) – BLUE DANUBE / IS YOU IS (OR IS YOU AIN’T MA BABY) (voc: Ray McKinley) / FLYING HOME / MOONLIGHT SERENADE
[ closing theme ]
Note: SPRING WILL BE A LITTLE LATE THIS YEAR was dubbed onto Transcription DLO-66511 and dubbed as an insert “AEF RADIO WEEKLY” programme 10th December 1944 10:30 am.
10th NOVEMBER 1944 (FRI) 6:15-6:30 pm
Co-Partners Hall, Bedford
“THE UPTOWN HALL” broadcast, AEFP
S/Sgt Mel Powell and the American Swing Sextet
MY GUY’S COME BACK [ opening theme ] / FLYING HOME / WHAT IS THERE TO SAY / I MUST HAVE THAT MAN (quartet: Hucko, Powell, Alpert, McKinley) / MY GUY’S COME BACK [ NOTE: full version, still untitled at this time ] / MY GUY’S COME BACK [ closing
theme ]
11th NOVEMBER 1944 (SAT) 11:45 am 12 Noon
Co-Partners Hall, Bedford
“PIANO PARADE” broadcast, AEFP
Pfc Jack Rusin
CHOPSTICKS [opening theme ] / SERENADE IN BLUE / GOING MY WAY / IT HAD TO BE YOU / STARS IN MY EYES / SEQUENCE / AFTER YOU’VE GONE / CHOPSTCKS
[ closing theme ]
11th NOVEMBER 1944 (SAT) 3:01-3:30 pm
Co-Partners Hall, Bedford
“THE SWING SHIFT” broadcast, AEFP
T/Sgt Ray McKinley and the American Dance Band
SONG AND DANCE (voc: Ray McKinley) [ opening theme ] / HERE WE GO AGAIN / SWING LOW, SWEET CHARIOT / THE MUSIC STOPPED (voc: Johnny Desmond) / BUBBLE BATH / HOBBA HOBBA HOP (“Boogie Woogie Trio”: Hucko, Powell, McKinley) / SPRING WILL BE A LITTLE LATE THIS YEAR (voc: Johnny Desmond) / MISSION TO MOSCOW / SONG AND DANCE (voc: Ray McKinley) [ closing theme ]
11th NOVEMBER 1944 (SAT) 6:15-6:30 pm
Co-Partners Hall, Bedford
“THE UPTOWN HALL” broadcast, AEFP
S/Sgt Mel Powell and the American Swing Sextet
MY GUY’S COME BACK [ opening theme ] / LITTLE WHITE LIES / STARS FELL ON ALABAMA (featuring S/Sgt Mel Powell) / PENNIES FROM HEAVEN (quartet: Hucko,Alpert, McKinley) / THE BLUE ROOM / MY GUY’S COME BACK [ closing theme ]
That evening (11th November), S/Sgt Mel Powell and five or six members of the American Swing Sextet played for dancing in the Officers’ Club located at Milton Ernest, Bedford (Station 506). 600 attended, including British couples who lived locally. The next day (Sunday 12th) proved to be a day off for the band.
According to Edward F. Polic’s massive publication The Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band published in 1989 by the Scarecrow Press, Major Glenn Miller flew to Paris on Monday 13th November 1944 for a meeting at Supreme Headquarters AEF Main with General Walter Bedell Smith, General Eisenhower’s Chief of Staff. This did not take place but Major Miller took the SHAEF Shuttle to Paris on the 15th November – he was summoned by Major-General Ray Barker to report to SHAEF (Main) Headquarters in Versailles. Major-General Barker had been appointed SHAEF G-1 and Assistant Chief of Staff to General Smith in command of the Personnel Division of SHAEF, where he was responsible for the radio broadcasting of the AEF and relations with the BBC. He had negotiated the setting up of the AEF. Maurice Gorham remembered him as a “formidable character who became a fervent admirer of the BBC.”
The chain of command was Eisenhower – Bedell Smith – Barker – Niven (who had replaced Ed Kirby following Kirby’s return to the States), then Miller.
Major Miller spent three days in Paris – he stayed at the Crillon Hotel – and soon discovered the facilities available for his AEF Band and its units regarding their broadcasting and concert appearances. For instance, the Olympia Theatre, The Palais de Glae, Rainbow Red Cross Club, the Marignan, the Grand Hotel, AEF Club. On the 17th he submitted his report to Major-General Ray Barker concerning the AEF Band’s activities in Paris in the future – and the next day (the 18th) Major Miller flew from Orly Field, Paris at 2:45 pm to London and was met by 2nd Lt Don Haynes who drove him back to Bedford. By this time, Major-General Barker had, in fact, dispatched a formal request to the BBC’s Maurice Gorham for the AEF Band to be transferred to Paris in 6 weeks, providing there would be no interference with their AEF Programme schedule which totaled 3 hours and 45 minutes each week. Gorham now understood the reasons that Barker wanted the band in Paris and agreed to cooperate as long as the band’s broadcasts were not lost to the AEF Programme.
13th NOVEMBER 1944 (MON)
EMI Studio, Abbey Road, London
EMI recording session for ABSIE Network
Programme 5 aired 6th December 1944 from 1:30-2:00 EWT on the German Wehrmacht Hour
The American Band of the AEF directed by Major Glenn Miller
Guest star: Irene Manning
Propaganda recordings for broadcast to German soldiers
MARY’S A GRAND OLD NAME (voc: Irene Manning, in German) Programme 5,
Record 4
ALL THE THINGS YOU ARE (voc: Irene Manning, in German) Programme 5,
Record 3
LONG AGO (AND FAR AWAY) (voc: Irene Manning, in German) Programme 5,
Record 7
BEGIN THE BEGUINE (voc: Irene Manning, in German) Programme 5, Record 9
ALL THE THINGS YOU ARE (voc: Irene Manning, in German ) / MARY’S A GRAND
OLD NAME (voc: Irene Manning, in German) Programme 5, Record 2
The AEF continued to produce some top-rate broadcasts as well as featuring shows from other networks. In their repertoire they also included a 15-minute program “AEF Extra” and one particular broadcast proved to be the launching pad for three singing typists from Northampton – The Beverely Sisters. They travelled to Bedford and met Major Glenn Miller who gave them some advice on their presentation. Major Miller suggested that they should approach AEF Production Chief Cecil Madden, who arranged for them to appear on “AEF Extra.”
13th NOVEMBER 1944 (MON) 5:40-5:55 pm
BBC Studio, London
“AEF EXTRA” broadcast, AEFP
Sgt Carmen Mastren accompanying The Beverley Sisters (with Joan Bird on piano)
IT’S LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! (voc: The Beverley Sisters) / ON THE BANKS OF THE WABASH FAR AWAY (voc: The Beverley Sisters)
According to Carmen Mastren, bassist Trigger Alpert was also involved in the broadcast, with both of them playing for The Beverley Sisters. Mastren also recalled seeing the Sisters some years later when he was working for NBC in New York and they appeared on the Skitch Henderson morning show.
13th NOVEMBER 1944 (MON) 7:01-7:15 pm
BBC Maida Vale Studio, London
“SONGS BY SGT JOHNNY DESMOND” broadcast, AEFP
M/Sgt Norman Leyden and the American Band of the AEF
TIME ON MY HANDS ( voc: Johnny Desmond) [ opening theme ] / LONG AGO (AND FAR AWAY) (voc: Johnny Desmond) / SWEET LORRAINE (voc: Johnny Desmond) / GET HAPPY / SPRING WILL BE A LITTLE LATE THIS YEAR (voc: Johnny Desmond) / TIME ON MY HANDS (voc: Johnny Desmond) [ closing theme ]
13th NOVEMBER 1944 (MON) 7:15-7:30 pm
BBC Maida Vale Studio, London
“STRINGS WITH WINGS” broadcast, AEFP
S/Sgt George Ockner and the string section
I SUSTAIN THE WINGS [ opening theme ] / HOW DEEP IS THE OCEAN / ESTRELLITA / INDIAN SUMMER / SURE THING / I SUSTAIN THE WINGS [ closing theme ]
14th NOVEMBER 1944 (TUE) 8:00-8:30 pm
Queensberry All-Services Club, London
Concert warm-up for broadcast
The American Band of the AEF
T/Sgt Jerry Gray and T/Sgt Ray McKinley shared in fronting the band
14th NOVEMBER 1944 (TUE) 8:30-9:00 pm
Queensberry All-Services Club, London
“MOONLIGHT SERENADE” broadcast, AEFP, AFN, and BBC-GFP
T/Sgt Jerry Gray and the American Band of the AEF
Compere: Sgt Keith Jameson
MOONLIGHT SERENADE [ opening theme ] / HERE WE GO AGAIN / BODY AND SOUL / BEAT ME DADDY, EIGHT TO THE BAR (voc: Ray McKinley) / medley: MY BUDDY – NOW I KNOW (voc: Johnny Desmond) – MUSIC MAKERS – FAREWELL BLUES / DEEP SUMMER MUSIC (voc: Johnny Desmond) / I HEAR YOU SCREAMIN’ / MOONLIGHT SERENADE [ closing theme ]
15th NOVEMBER 1944 (WED) 2:01-3:00 pm
Co-Partners Hall, Bedford
“VISITING HOUR” broadcast, AFN (for all military hospitals)
American Band of the AEF
15th NOVEMBER 1944 (WED) 6:15-6:30 pm
Co-Partners Hall, Bedford
“THE UPTOWN HALL” broadcast, AEFP
S/Sgt Mel Powell and the American Swing Sextet
MY GUY’S COME BACK [ opening theme ] / AT SUNDOWN / BODY AND SOUL / AVALON (quartet: Hucko, Powell, Alpert, McKinley) / EMBRACEABLE YOU (voc: Johnny Desmond) / YOU’RE DRIVING ME CRAZY / MY GUY’S COME BACK [ closing theme]
15th NOVEMBER 1944 (WED) 7:45-8:00 pm
Co-Partners Hall, Bedford
“STRINGS WITH WINGS” broadcast, AEFP
S/Sgt George Ockner and the string section
I SUSTAIN THE WINGS [ opening theme ] / SWEET AND LOVELY / DEEP RIVER / OUR WALTZ / I SUSTAIN THE WINGS [closing theme ]
16th-21st NOVEMBER 1944
M/Sgt Norman Leyden substituted for Pfc Mannie Thaler (baritone/reeds) during Thaler’s illness
16th NOVEMBER 1944 (THU) 7:30-8:00 pm
Co-Partners Hall, Bedford
"THE SWING SHIFT" broadcast, AEFP
T/Sgt Ray McKinley and the American Dance Band
SONG AND DANCE (voc: Ray McKinley) [ opening theme ] / THE EYES AND EARS OF THE WORLD / YOU GO TO MY HEAD (featuring Sgt Bernie Privin) / BEAT ME DADDY, EIGHT TO THE BAR (voc: Ray McKinley) / HOW BLUE THE NIGHT (voc: Artie Malvin) / POPSIE’S POOCH (“Boogie-Woogie Trio”: Hucko, Powell, McKinley) / THIS I LOVE ABOVE ALL (voc: Artie Malvin) / SLEEPY TOWN TRAIN / SOMEBODY’S WRONG / SONG AND DANCE (voc: Ray McKinley) [ closing theme ]
16th NOVEMBER 1944 (THU) 9:15-9:30 pm
Bedford
“THE UPTOWN HALL” broadcast was cancelled due to PFC Mannie Thaler’s illness
17th NOVEMBER 1944 (FRI) 8:00-8:30 pm
Queensberry All-Services Club, London
Concert warm-up for broadcast
T/Sgt Jerry Gray and the American Band of the AEF
Music played: unknown
17th NOVEMBER 1944 (FRI) 8:30-9:00 pm
Queensberry All-Services Club, London
“MOONLIGHT SERENADE” broadcast, AEFP, AFN, and BBC-GFP
T/Sgt Jerry Gray and the American Band of the AEF
Compere: Sgt Keith Jameson
MOONLIGHT SERENADE [ opening theme ] / 7-0-5 / SWEET LORRAINE (voc: Artie Malvin) / TUXEDO JUNCTION / medley: JEANNIE WITH THE LIGHT BROWN HAIR – AMOR (voc: Artie Malvin) – BEGIN THE BEGUINE – BLUE RAIN / DOWN THE ROAD A-PIECE (voc: Ray McKinley) / GREAT DAY / MOONLIGHT SERENADE [ closing theme ]
18th NOVEMBER 1944 (SAT) 11:45 am–12 Noon
Co-Partners Hall, Bedford
“PIANO PARADE” broadcast, AEFP
Pfc Jack Rusin
CHOPSTICKS [ opening theme ] / BIDIN’ MY TIME / WHERE OR WHEN / DANCING ON THE CEILING / JALOUSIE / LULLABY OF THE LEAVES / HOW HIGH THE MOON / CHOPSTICKS [ closing theme ]
18TH NOVEMBER 1944 (SAT) 3:01-3:30 pm
Co-Partners Hall, Bedford
“THE SWING SHIFT” broadcast, AEFP
T/Sgt Ray McKinley and the American Dance Band
NOTE: Pfc Jack Rusin substitutes for S/SGT Mel Powell who was sick
SONG AND DANCE (voc: Ray McKinley) [ opening theme ] / TAIL END CHARLIE / OH, LADY BE GOOD / SHE’S FUNNY THAT WAY (voc: Artie Malvin) / SPANISH SHAWL / 7-0-5 / IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU (voc: Artie Malvin) / THE BIG ONES ARE EATIN’ THE LITTLE ONES / SONG AND DANCE (voc: Ray McKinley) [ closing theme ]
18th NOVEMBER 1944 (SAT) 6:00-6:30 pm
Co-Partners Hall, Bedford [ uncertain venue ]
“THE UPTOWN HALL” broadcast was cancelled due to Mel Powell’s absence
19th NOVEMBER 1944 (SUN)
This proved to be a day off for the unit, and they were informed about the proposed trip to Paris and they all voted to go!
20th NOVEMBER 1944 (MON)
EMI Studio, Abbey Road, London
OWI recording session for ABSIE Network
Programme 4 aired 29th November 1944 and Programme 5 aired 6th December 1944 from 1:30-2:00 pm EWT on the German Wehrmacht Hour
Propaganda recordings for broadcast to German soldiers
Dialogue in German by Ilsa Weinberger (German female announcer) and Major Glenn Miller
MOONLIGHT SERENADE [ opening theme ] / CARIBBEAN CLIPPER Programme
4, Record 1
SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES Programme 4, Record 2
LITTLE BROWN JUG Programme 4, Record 3
WHERE OR WHEN (voc: Johnny Desmond, in German) Programme 4, Record 4
COW-COW BOOGIE (voc: Ray McKinley) Programme 4, Record 5
HOLIDAY FOR STRINGS Programme 4, Record 6
MOONLIGHT SERENADE [ opening theme ] / TAIL END CHARLIE Programme 5,
Record 1
EVERYBODY LOVES MY BABY Programme 5, Record 5
The 7:01-7:15 pm "SONGS BY SGT. JOHNNY DESMOND" broadcast was cancelled due to the illness of Sgt. Desmond, and reserve recording number 2 (SWN-19362) was used. Also on 20th November '44 Sgt. David Herman was in the hospital.
20th NOVEMBER 1944 (MON) 7:45-8:00 pm
Co-Partners Hall, Bedford
“STRINGS WITH WINGS” broadcast, AEFP
S/Sgt George Ockner and the string section
I SUSTAIN THE WINGS [ opening theme ] / PLEASE / WHAT IS THERE TO SAY / MEMORIES OF YOU / I'LL REMEMBER APRIL / I SUSTAIN THE WINGS [ closing theme ]
[ to be continued ]
HAPPY BIRTHDAYS TO:
Orrin Keepnews, b.Mar. 2, 1923. Writer (A Pictorial History of Jazz: People and Places
From New Orleans to Modern Jazz) and record producer.
Harry Prime, b.Mar. 5, 1920. Vocalist with Brooks '47; Fina '47; T Dorsey '47; Flanagan
'49-'53.
Dick Hyman, b.Mar. 8, 1927. Pianist with Goodman '50 / '55 / '85-'86.
Keely Smith, b.Mar. 9, 1932. Vocalist with Prima '49-'61.
Donn Trenner, b.Mar. 10, 1927. Pianist with Fio Rito '43-'45; Morrow '47?; Brown '54-'56 /
'57-'60?.
Quincy Jones, b.Mar. 14, 1933. Trumpeter with Hampton '51-'53 and Gillespie '56; and
composer (Basie '58 Rat Race / The Midnight Sun Never Sets / Meet B.B.).
George Avakian, b.Mar. 15, 1919. Record producer.
Bob Wilber, b.Mar. 15, 1928. Clarinetist - soprano sax with Hackett '57; Goodman '58.
Larry Elgart, b.Mar. 20, 1922. Saxophonist with Byrne and brother Les Elgart; and
bandleader with Les and on his own.
Bill Hughes, b.Mar. 28, 1930. Trombonist with Basie '54-'57 / '63-'84 and leader of the
Basie Orch '03-'10.
NECROLOGY
Med Flory, 87, d.Mar. 12, 2014. Clarinetist / alto saxophonist / tenor saxophonist /
baritone saxophonist with Thornhill '50 / '52-'53; J Gray '56 / '57; Herman '59.
Duncan Schiedt, 92, d.Mar. 12, 2014. Photographer - author (Ain't Misbehavin'; Twelve
Lives in Jazz; Jazz in Black and White).
REMEMBERING YOU
Barrett Deems, b.Mar. 1, 1914. Drummer with Venuti '37?-'44?; Norvo '48; Spanier
'51-'53; Armstrong '54-'58.
Bob Hardaway, b.Mar. 1, 1928. Tenor saxophonist with Anthony '52; J Gray '54;
Herman '56.
Glenn Miller, b.Mar. 1, 1904. Trombonist with Pollack '26-'28 / '29 / '36; Nichols
'29-'31; Dorsey Brothers '34; Noble '35-'36. Leader of own band.
Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, b.Mar. 2, 1921. Tenor saxophonist with Williams '42-'44;
Millinder '44-'45; Kirk '45-'46; Basie '52-'53 / '57.
Barney Bigard, b.Mar. 3, 1906. Clarinetist with Ellington '28-'42; Slack '42-'43;
Armstrong '47-'52 / '53-'55.
Cy Touff, b.Mar. 4, 1927. Trumpeter with Herman '53?-'56?.
Red Callendar, b.Mar. 6, 1918. Bassist with Armstrong '37.
Mahlon Clark, b.Mar. 7, 1923. Clarinetist / saxophonist with Bradley '41-'42;
McKinley '42; Beneke '70s? / '80s?.
Heinie Beau, b.Mar. 8, 1911. Clarinetist with Nichols '40; T Dorsey '41-'43.
Sam Donahue, b. Mar. 8, 1918. Tenor saxophonist with Krupa '38-'40;
Shaw '42-'44 (Navy band); T Dorsey '51?'-53?; Kenton '60-'61. Leader of own
band; Leader of T Dorsey Orch '61-'65.
Dick Hyman, b.Mar. 8, 1927. Pianist with Goodman '50 / '65 (Columbia Jazz
Combo) / '85.
Herschel Evans, b.Mar. 9, 1909. Tenor saxophonist with Basie '36-'39; James
'37-'38 (two Brunswick sessions).
Bix Beiderbecke, b.Mar. 10, 1903. Cornetist with Whiteman '27-'29.
Mercer Ellington, b.Mar. 11, 1919. Trumpeter with Ellington '65-'74. Leader of
Ellington Orch '74-'96?.
Jackie Mills, b.Mar. 11, 1922. Drummer with Raeburn '45-'46; James '52-'55? /
'55-'56 / '58-'59.
Bob Haggart, b.Mar. 13, 1914, Bassist with Crosby '35-'42 / '58 / '85 / et al.
Ina Ray Hutton ,b. Mar. 13, 1916. Leader of own band.
Les Brown, b.Mar. 14, 1912. Leader of own band.
Harry James, b.Mar. 15, 1916. Trumpeter with Pollack '36; Goodman '37-'39 /
'55. Leader of own band.
Deane Kincaide, b.Mar. 18, 1911. Clarinetist / saxophonist / arranger for Pollack
'33-'35; Crosby '35-'37 / '37-'38; Herman '37; T Dorsey '38-'40; Spanier
'41; McKinley '46-'50 / '54; Miller Orch-McKinley '57-'62.
Buster Harding, b.Mar. 19, 1917. Arranger / composer for T Wilson '39-'40; Basie
'40-'41; Calloway '41; Shaw '45.
Doug Mettome, b.Mar. 19, 1925. Trumpeter with Goodman '48-'49; Herman
'50 / '51; Dorsey Brothers '54.
Hank D’Amico, b.Mar. 21, 1915. Clarinetist with Norvo '36-'39?; Crosby '40-'41.
Sonny Burke, b.Mar. 22, 1914. Arranger for Spivak '41-'42; J Dorsey '42-'46?.
Conductor for Armstrong '55. Leader of own band.
Charlie Christian, b.Mar. 22, 1919. Guitarist with Goodman '39-'40.
Johnny Guarnieri, b.Mar. 23, 1917. Pianist with Shaw '40-'41 / '41-'42;
Goodman '41.
Jimmy Blanton, b.Mar. 26, 1921. Bassist with Ellington '39-'41.
Eddie Zandy, b.Mar. 27, 1920. Trumpeter with Hutton '40?-'42? / '46?; Thornhill
'47-'48?; G Gray '50?; Beneke '50-'56; Miller Orch-McKinley '56?-'66; Miller
Orch-DeFranco '66-'68?.
Sarah Vaughan, b.Mar. 27, 1924. Vocalist with Hines '43-'44; Eckstine '44-'45.
Burt Collins, b.Mar. 27, 1931. Trumpeter with Hefti '54; Herman '56; Lawrence
'58; McKinley '66.
Chummy MacGregor, b.Mar. 28, 1903. Pianist with Miller '37-'42.
Paul Whiteman, b.Mar. 28, 1890. Leader of own band.
Eric Dixon, b.Mar. 28, 1930. Tenor saxophonist with Basie '61-'73 / '75-'84; Basie
Orch '84-'89.
Pearl Bailey, b.Mar. 29, 1918. Vocalist with Williams '44. Married Bellson '52
until her death in '90.
Ted Heath, b.Mar. 30, 1900. Leader of own band.
Red Norvo, b.Mar. 31, 1908. With Whiteman '32; Goodman '44-'45 / '59;
Herman '45-'46. Leader of own band.
Freddie Green, b.Mar. 31, 1911. Guitarist with Basie '37-'84.
BIG BANDS IN-PERSON
Count Basie Orchestra directed by Scotty Barnhart: Mar. 6, Riviera Theatre and
Performing Arts Center, North Tanawanda, NY; Mar. 8, Nighttown, Cleveland
Heights, OH.
Tommy Dorsey Orchestra directed by Terry Myers: Mar. 6, "2014 Strawberry Festival,"
Plant City, FL.
Harry James Orchestra directed by Fred Radke: Mar. 22, U.S.S. Hornet, Alameda, CA.
Glenn Miller Orchestra directed by Nick Hilscher: Mar. 1, Scottsdale Center for the
Performing Arts, Scottsdale, AZ ; Mar. 2, Del E. Webb Center, Wickenburg, AZ;
Mar. 5, Westwind RV & Golf Resort, Yuma, AZ; Mar. 6, Santa Clarita Performing
Arts Center – College of the Canyons, Santa Clarita, CA; Mar. 7, Fred Kavli
Theatre, Thousand Oaks, CA; Mar. 8, Carpenter Performing Arts Center, Long
Beach, CA; Mar. 9, Haugh Performing Arts Center – Citrus Community College;
Mar. 11, Buena Performing Arts Center, Sierra Vista, CA; Mar. 13, Sycuan Casino,
El Cajon, CA ; Mar. 15, Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, Santa Rosa, CA ; Mar. 16,
Performing Arts Center of Pacific Grove, Pacific Grove, CA; Mar. 21, State Theatre,
Red Bluff, CA; Mar. 23, Freedom Hall, Henderson, NV; Mar. 25, Davis Middle School,
Evanston, WY; Mar. 26, The Historic Ballroom, Twin Falls, ID; Mar. 28, Whiteside
Theatre, Corvallis, OR; Mar. 29, Florence Events Center, Florence, OR; Mar. 30,
Don Whitney Auditorium, Tillamook, OR.
A MONROE MAN
Trombonist Dan Gabel, a Master of Music student at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA and who conducted a tribute concert to Vaughn Monroe and Billy Eckstine there last October, will give another one at 4:00 pm on the 2nd of this month in the Conservatory's Brown Hall.
Original arrangements, including vocals and instrumentals, from throughout Monroe's career will be performed by Gabel and his "Abletones," an 18-piece big band, which will be augmented by a string section and a singing group called "The Lovely Ladies of Song."
Reportedly, Monroe's two daughters, Candace and Christina, will be in attendance.
The program is free and open to the public.
A MILLER MAN
Tony Eaton, a Glenn Miller expert, will give his talk, "The Curious Disappearance of Glenn Miller," at the Amersham Rugby Club in Amersham, England, on the 14th of this month. Eaton was a longtime member of The Glenn Miller Society and has written liner notes to various Miller CDs.
NEW COMPACT DISCS
Benny Goodman. "The Complete Benny Goodman in Moscow," American Jazz Classics
99081. 2-CDs including the original 2-LP set (RCA Victor LSO-6008) plus songs
from a newsreel film made during the Moscow concerts and others from TV
performances which Goodman did in 1957, 1961, and 1962.
Stan Kenton. “Concerts in Miniature: Volume 1,” Sounds of YesterYear (E) DSOY 956.
Red Norvo. "Four Classic Albums," Avid (E) AMSC1110. 2-CDs including the 1953
Decca "dancing on the ceiling" Trio album (DL 5501); the 1957-58 RCA Victor LPs
"Red Norvo in Stereo" (LSP-1711) and "Red Plays the Blues" (LSP-1729); plus
"Music to Listen to Red Norvo By," an album originally out on the Contemporary label
and the only one of these four titles to have been on CD before (on Original Jazz
Classics in 2001). I've been waiting for someone to put those RCA discs in full
on a CD!
Various artists. “The Best Years of Our Lives – The Most Popular Songs of 1935,”
Sounds of YesterYear (E) DSOY 957. Incl T Dorsey, Prima, Waller, Miller.
---. "The Five Pennies / The Gene Krupa Story," Blue Moon (Sp) BMCD3511. The
"Five Pennies" has been out on CD, but the "Krupa Story" - which had not been -
is welcome.
IN-PRINT AND / OR ONLINE
Gary Ginell. Mr. B: The Music & Life of Billy Eckstine (Hal Leonard Jazz Biography Series).
226-page paperback.
Gerry Stonestreet. "CD Reviews: Sauter-Finegan: The Return of the Doodletown
Fifers / Pop Concert, Sepia 1248," In Tune International, No.265 / Mar 2011, p.19.
Mr. Stonestreet writes, "This is a remarkable CD in every respect. Sonically, it is
in brilliant stereo with both albums sounding fresh and vibrant . . . simply good
music that defies categorization . . . I must also pay tribute to the extra special
packaging of this CD for not only is there an informative and literate booklet, it
also has something called a 'necrology' which records the passing of the
musicians involved. As I said at the start, a remarkable CD release in every
respect."
SNEAK PEEK
A very special occasion will be observed next month. Do you know what it is?
go to Big Band Library homepage
After Miller's civilian orchestra had risen to the top of the band business in just a few years, he chose to enter the service in 1942 and form a large orchestra, which included a big string section, to entertain the Allied troops during World War II.
Mr. Taylor, shown to the left consulting a copy of John Flower's 1972 Miller bio-discography, Moonlight Serenade (New Rochelle, NY: Arlington House), was the longtime Chairman of the international Glenn Miller Society and Editor of its journal, the Moonlight Serenader.
Respected around the world for his knowledge of Miller's life and career, he kindly consented to allowing the remaining installments of his series, which began in 2006 in pages of the Society's journal, to be presented here, after the organization ceased operation in 2012.
Now, as Roly traces the period November 6-20, 1944, he is slowly nearing the date when Miller lost his life while serving his country.
THE MAGIC OF THE
MILLER MUSIC
GENERATES
MASSIVE MEMORIES
This month marks the 110th anniversary of the birth of legendary performer Glenn Miller, an appropriate opportunity to present another installment of Miller expert Roland Taylor's multi-part investigation which recounts the day-by-day activities of Miller's memorable Army Air Force Orchestra.
Roland Taylor
