Crystal Falls, MI --- The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra will kick off independence week in grand style at the Crystal Theatre on Sunday, July 1, 7:00 pm CST.
With its unique big band sound, The World-Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra is the most popular and sought after big band in the world today. Glenn Miller was one of the most successful of all dance band leaders back in the Swing Era of the 1930’s and ’40s. This show will feature many of the original Miller arrangements both from the civilian band and his World War II Army Air Force Band libraries: “Chattanooga Choo-Choo,” “Moonlight Serenade,” “A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square.” Today, the 18-member ensemble, just as it was in Glenn’s day, is still one of the most sought-after big bands in the world.
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.
This is a Gem of a Season event. Doors and box-office open at 6:00pm. Details are available at www.TheCrystalTheatre.org.
