What do Manhattan Transfer, The Shadows, Chicago and Jive Bunny have in common?
Well, they’ve all had hits featuring songs made famous by the great Glenn Miller. In fact, with the exception of Man Tran’s “Tuxedo Junction”, they all featured Miller’s perennial favourite, “In the Mood”. The introduction to “In the Mood” can also be heard on the end of the Beatles’ “All You Need is Love”. Such is the influence and enduring popularity of Glenn Miller’s music.
Now you have the chance to check out this piece of musical history as the Glenn Miller Orchestra performs at Huddersfield Town Hall on Saturday, 26th May at 7.00pm
Back in the late ‘30s–early ‘40s, Glenn Miller packed the dance halls in the States. The band enjoyed a string of hits like “In the Mood” and “Tuxedo Junction” as well as “Moonlight Serenade”, “Chatanooga Choo Choo” and many others.
In the U.S., Miller had initially formed a large marching band that was to be the core of a network of service orchestras. His attempts at modernizing military music were met with some resistance from tradition-minded career officers. And, occasionally, a little boogie-woogie shuffle would creep into the marching step of the band members, much to the delight of the fans and the ire of the officers!
Miller was then given permission to form his 50-piece Army Air Force Band and take it to England in the summer of 1944. The band’s musical style and showmanship immediately endeared them to UK audiences, playing at 35 US bases - mostly clustered around the South East of the country - and performing some 40 radio broadcasts during the remainder of the year!
On December 15, 1944, Glenn boarded a single engine C-64 Norseman aircraft to travel to Paris, France where he was to make arrangements for a Christmas broadcast. Tragically, the plane never reached France and was never found.
The Glenn Miller Orchestra UK was formed in 1988 in conjunction with Glenn Miller Productions of New York. The Orchestra maintains the exact line up on stage devised by Glenn, consisting of the leader, five saxophones, four trumpets, four trombones and three rhythm plus a male and female vocalist. The singers perform both individually and as part of the Moonlight Serenades vocal group. The Uptown Hall Gang – an outstanding Dixieland group drawn from members of the orchestra – is also featured.
Home Instead clients are allocated tickets at a discounted rate and our caregivers are able to attend free of charge. This is going to be a vivid trip down memory lane!
If you’d like to see the Glenn Miller Orchestra in concert, they coming to Huddersfield Town Hall on Saturday, 26th May at 7.00pm.
Visit https://tickets.kirklees.gov.uk/esro/daily_events_list.asp
Or call 01484 223200 / 01924 324501 / 01484 222444
