The big bands are back
in a new and exciting way!
NOVEMBER 2013
"BIG BAND NEWS"
compiled by Music Librarian CHRISTOPHER POPA
In his latest installment, Mr. Taylor brings us up-to-date, transitioning from the end of October into the beginning of November, 1944.
The Chronology Continues
MILLER’S MIGHTY SERVICE BAND
THE MAGIC OF MILLER’S MUSIC
GENERATES MASSIVE MEMORIES
The Ensemble in Focus
by Roland Taylor
D A T E L I N E O C T O B E R 2 2 1 9 4 4
The American Band of the AEF directed by Captain (later Major) Glenn Miller had now been based on England for 16 weeks and, along with their backbreaking tour of over 60 bases entertaining 228,000 service personnel, slotted in-between were countless “live” and recorded broadcasts for the BBC.
Their massive schedule began on 9th July 1944 playing a concert in the Corn Exchange in Bedford, and they would return there the following evening. The band had their own broadcasting studio – Co-Partners Hall, also in Bedford, which was originally owned by a local gas company. The full band and certainly the sub-units (George Ockner’s “Strings with Wings,” the “Swing Shift” fronted by Sgt. Ray McKinley, Mel Powell’s “Uptown Hall,” plus “Johnny Desmond Sings” and “Piano Parade”) all used it extensively for “live” broadcasts as well as recorded programmes. These totaled in excess of 150.
Guests vocalists were invited to appear on the full band’s broadcasts at Co-Partners Hall, and the first was Anne Shelton, followed by Dinah Shore and Sam Browne, Beryl Davis, Doreen Villiers, Gloria Brent, and Bing Crosby.
The major venue for all service personnel was the Queensberry All-Services Club in London, with an attendance capacity of 2,500. Captain Miller’s band provided the music for Cecil Madden’s “Variety Bandbox” on 30th July 1944. The guest was the British actress Margaret Lockwood. Nearly a month later, on 27th August 1944, Bing Crosby was the special guest on “Variety Bandbox” and he was accompanied by the AEF band’s pianist, Pfc. Jack Rusin. Two days later, Bing travelled to Bedford and in Co-Partners Hall recorded 10 numbers with Pfc. Rusin. Bing was puzzled why Miller and his ensemble were not there; they had been in the Plymouth area but bad weather dictated a stopover. The next day, 30th August 1944, Bing was able to record 6 songs with the full orchestra, plus a further selection with the “Swing Shift.” Mr. Crosby would be involved in his final “live” broadcast with the full band the following evening, 31st August 1944, during which he contributed 4 vocals. He climaxed this performance with a visit later that evening to the Stage Door Canteen in Piccadilly where, accompanied by Pfc. Rusin, he sang 5 numbers including White Christmas. Crosby’s next assignment was on the continent to entertain the troops. (Pfc. Rusin was scheduled to accompany him, but it never happened.)
Whilst the sub-units continued to use Co-Partners Hall for broadcasts and recordings, the full band also appeared in the Hall for a “live” programme on 7th September 1944 with guest vocalist Gloria Brent, followed by a reserve recording on 9th September 1944. Subsequent full band programmes emanated from the Queensberry All-Services Club.
22ND OCTOBER 1944 (SUN) 12:45-1:00 pm
Co-Partners Hall, Bedford
“Songs By Sgt. Johnny Desmond” broadcast, AEFP
Sgt. Johnny Desmond and the American Band of the AEF
all selections are vocals by Johnny Desmond
TIME ON MY HANDS [ opening theme ] / HOW SWEET YOU ARE / SWEET AND LOVELY / IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU / TIME ON MY HANDS [ closing theme ]
The next day, 23rd October 1944, Sgt. Broderick Crawford, who had been on temporary duty with AFN, London, was assigned and transferred to Headquarters Detachment, Headquarters Command, European Theatre of Operations, United States Army, and was no longer a member of the Miller AEF band. He was re-assigned back to the band on 7th May 1945 as the announcer for the recordings in the Olympia Theatre, Paris, basically for the full band – there were 10 programmes, though he was involved in two “Swing Shifts” and one “Strings with Wings.” Sgt. Crawford did not travel with the band to Germany, but was transferred back to them on 23rd July 1945 for transport to the USA on 4th August 1945. Sgt. Crawford was discharged on 16th November 1945.
23RD OCTOBER 1944 (MON) 7:15-7:30 pm
Co-Partners Hall, Bedford
“Strings with Wings” broadcast, AEFP
S/Sgt. George Ockner and the string section
[ no details of selections played ]
24TH OCTOBER 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 [ opening theme ] (voc: Ray McKinley) / FLYING HOME / RAINBOW RHAPSODY / I’VE GOT A HEART FILLED WITH LOVE (voc: Johnny Desmond and The Crew Chiefs) / SNAFU JUMP / MY SHINING HOUR (voc: Johnny Desmond) / BIGGLESWADE WIGGLE [ “Boogie Woogie Trio”: Hucko, Powell, McKinley ] / THE DAY AFTER FOREVER (voc: Johnny Desmond) / ONE O’CLOCK JUMP / SONG AND DANCE [ closing theme ] (voc: Ray McKinley)
25TH OCTOBER 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 ] / SHANDY / EMBRACEABLE YOU (voc: Johnny Desmond) / SOMEBODY LOVES ME / MY GUY’S COME BACK [ closing theme ]
25TH OCTOBER 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 ] / MORE THAN YOU KNOW / WHAT IS THERE TO SAY / SWEET AND LOVELY / I’LL REMEMBER APRIL / I SUSTAIN THE WINGS [ closing theme ]
26TH OCTOBER 1944 (THU) 8:30-9:00 pm
Queensberry All-Services Club, London
“American Band of the AEF” broadcast, AEFP, AFN, and BBC-GFP
compere: Major Glenn Miller
guest star: Anne Shelton
MOONLIGHT SERENADE [ opening theme ] / AMERICAN PATROL / STAR DUST / ON WISCONSIN / MEDLEY: THE OLD REFRAIN – THE SAME OLD LOVE (voc: Johnny Desmond) – (WHEN YOUR HEART’S ON FIRE) SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES – BLUE AGAIN / SPRING WILL BE A LITTLE LATE THIS YEAR (voc: Anne Shelton) / YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE (voc: Johnny Desmond and The Crew Chiefs) / MOONLIGHT SERENADE
[ closing theme ]
27TH OCTOBER 1944 (FRI) 3:45-4:30 PM
Co-Partners Hall, Bedford
“The Swing Shift” recording
T/Sgt. Ray McKinley and the American Dance Band
SONG AND DANCE [ opening theme ] (voc: Ray McKinley) / SUN VALLEY JUMP / IS YOU IS OR IS YOU AIN’T MA BABY (voc: Ray McKinley ) / HOW BLUE THE NIGHT (voc: Johnny Desmond) / JUKE BOX SATURDAY NIGHT (voc: The Crew Chiefs) / title unknown – Mel Powell original [ “Boogie Woogie Trio”: Hucko, Powell, McKinley ] / I DREAM OF YOU (voc: Johnny Desmond) / SPANISH SHAWL / KING PORTER STOMP / SONG AND DANCE
[ closing theme ] (voc: Ray McKinley)
27TH OCTOBER 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 ] / SOMEBODY LOVES ME / EAST OF THE SUN (voc: Johnny Desmond) / MY GUY’S COME BACK [ closing theme ]
28TH OCTOBER 1944 (SAT) 11:45 am-12 Noon
Co-Partners Hall, Bedford
“Piano Parade” broadcast, AEFP
Pfc. Jack Rusin
CHOPSTICKS [ opening theme ] / STAR DUST / TEA FOR TWO / FALLING IN LOVE WITH LOVE / ESTRELLITA / CABIN IN THE SKY / TRUE BLUE LOU / CHOPSTICKS [ closing theme ]
28th October 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 ] / I’LL REMEMBER APRIL / LOVE IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER / AFTER YOU’VE GONE [ “band-within-a-band quartet”: Hucko, Powell, Alpert, McKinley ] / I’LL WALK ALONE (voc: Johnny Desmond) / ROSETTA / MY GUY’S COME BACK [ closing theme ]
29TH OCTOBER 1944 (SUN) 12:45-1:00 pm
Co-Partners Hall, Bedford
“Songs By Sgt. Johnny Desmond” broadcast, AEFP
Sgt. Johnny Desmond and the American Band of the AEF
all selections are vocals by Johnny Desmond
TIME ON MY HANDS [ opening theme ] / I’LL REMEMBER APRIL / A FELLOW ON A FURLOUGH / THE FIRST FEW DAYS / OH, LADY BE GOOD / LOUISE / TIME ON MY HANDS [ closing theme ]
That evening, 29th October 1944, Cpl. Phil Cogliano and a small dance unit played for enlisted men and their guests in the Midland Road red cross in Bedford. 300 were in attendance.
On 30th October 1944 Major Miller and the entire AEF band travelled to EMI’s Abbey Road studio in London, to record a 30-minute programme featuring their most popular numbers. The programme would be broadcast over the American Broadcasting Station in Europe (or, “ABSIE”), which was operated from London by the Overseas Branch of the Office of War Information (or, “OWI”), a civilian propaganda outlet for the American government and which became integrated in the SHAEF Command as its Psychological Warfare Division. ABSIE had, in fact, been functioning since 30th April 1944 as part of the Allied preparation for the invasion of Europe. It operated from an underground studio on Soho’s Wardour Street. The broadcasts were beamed to the occupied countries, to prepare them for the Allied liberation and, as this progressed, the broadcasts urged the German armed forces to surrender. Although the Germans attempted to jam the wavelengths, the broadcasts were successful.
In the recorded programme, Miller read his announcements in English as well as a halting, phonetic German. He was assisted by a female announcer named Ilse Weinberger, who spoke in German. Some years ago, two members of The Glenn Miller Society attempted to trace her, but without success.
MOONLIGHT SERENADE Programme 1 Record 1
IN THE MOOD Programme 1, Record 2
STAR DUST Programme 1, Record 3
SONG OF THE VOLGA BOATMEN Programme 1, Record 4
LONG AGO AND FAR AWAY (voc: Johnny Desmond – in German)
Programme 1, Record 5
IS YOU IS OR IS YOU AIN’T MA BABY (voc: Ray McKinley)
Programme 1, Record 6
GREAT DAY Programme 1, Record 7
MOONLIGHT SERENADE Programme 1, Record 8
Programme 1 was aired 1:30-2:00 pm on 8th November 1944 over the German “Wehrmacht Hour.” Major Miller and the AEF band would return to the EMI Studio on Abbey Road on 6th November 1944 to record Programmes 2 and 3. 4 and 5 would follow later in the month.
30TH OCTOBER 1944 (MON) 7:15-7:30 pm
Co-Partners Hall, Bedford
“Strings with Wings” broadcast, AEFP
S/Sgt. George Ockner and the string section
I SUSTAIN THE WINGS [ opening theme ] / HOW AM I TO KNOW? / THERE’S A SMALL HOTEL / SWEET AND LOW / I’LL BE SEEING YOU / I SUSTAIN THE WINGS [ closing theme ]
31ST OCTOBER 1944 (TUE) 6:30-6:59 pm
Co-Partners Hall, Bedford
T/Sgt. Ray McKinley and the American Dance Band
SONG AND DANCE [ opening theme ] (voc: Ray McKinley) / HERE WE GO AGAIN / COW-COW BOOGIE (voc: Ray McKinley) / OH, LADY BE GOOD / THIS I LOVE ABOVE ALL (voc: Johnny Desmond) / VAMP TILL READY [ septet ] / STEALIN’ APPLES / SONG AND DANCE
[ closing theme ] (voc: Ray McKinley)
1ST 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
guest artist: Sgt. Bernie Privin
MY GUY’S COME BACK [ opening theme ] / MAKIN’ WHOOPEE / YOU GO TO MY HEAD
[ featuring Sgt. Privin ] / SHE’S FUNNY THAT WAY (voc: Johnny Desmond) / OH, LADY BE GOOD / MY GUY’S COME BACK [ closing theme ]
1ST 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 ] / LOVER, COME BACK TO ME / SOMEDAY I'LL FIND YOU / ORCHIDS IN THE MOONLIGHT / I SUSTAIN THE WINGS [ closing theme ]
2ND NOVEMBER 1944 (THU) 8:00-8:30 pm
Queensberry All-Services Club, London
concert warm-up for broadcast
Major Glenn Miller and the American Band of the AEF
[ no details concerning the selections played ]
2ND NOVEMBER 1944 (THU) 8:30-9:00 pm
Queensberry All-Services Club, London
“American Band of the AEF” broadcast, AEFP, AFN, and BBC-GFP
compere: Major Glenn Miller
MOONLIGHT SERENADE [ opening theme ] / GET HAPPY / I’LL BE SEEING YOU (voc: Johnny Desmond) / ANCHROS AWEIGH / MEDLEY: LONG, LONG AGO – THE MUSIC STOPPED (voc: Johnny Desmond) – THE DIPSEY DOODLE – BLUES IN MY HEART / HAVE YOU GOT ANY GUM, CHUM? (voc: Ray McKinley and The Crew Chiefs) / JERRY’S AACHEN BACK [ trio: Hucko, Powell, McKinley ] / SONG OF THE VOLGA BOATMEN / MOONLIGHT SERENADE [ closing theme ]
*NOTE: guest vocalists no longer take part in the full band’s Thursday broadcasts
Following the above broadcast, the Marquess of Queensberry, who was initially the brainchild of the Queensberry All-Services Club and became its President, invited Major Glenn Miller and his AEF band for dinner at Kettner’s Restaurant, as a gesture of appreciation for their incredible performance at the Club. To mark the occasion, a four-page printed menu had been prepared and every member of the AEF band was listed, together with a tribute to the band’s (thus far) 10 visits to the Club, entertaining 30,000 men and women of HM and Allied Fighting Forces who had been present. Also detailed in the menu were celebrities who were present: Jack Hylton; John Harding, the manager of the Queensberry Club; the First Lord of the Admiralty, A.V. Alexander; comedian Tommy Trindler; and Morton Downey, the singer who had come to the ETO on a US tour (ironically, Morton Downey would be the guest singer on Major Miller’s final broadcast in the Queensberry Club, on 12th December 1944).
After the dinner at Kettner’s Restaurant, Jack Hylton invited Major Miller and 2nd Lt. Don Haynes to his flat for drinks, and they were joined by some of Jack’s friends including the First Lord of the Admiralty, A.V. Alexander. The hours flew by and it was said that the First Lord sat at the piano and sang some saucy songs. Miller and Haynes spent the remainder of the night in London (possibly in their billet in the Mount Royal) and spent most of Saturday at SHAEF before returning to Bedford.
3RD 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 ] / TEMPTATION / EMALINE / I MUST HAVE THAT MAN [ “band-within-a-band” quartet: Hucko, Powell, Alpert, McKinley ] / I’M THRU WITH LOVE (voc: Johnny Desmond) / ROSE ROOM / MY GUY’S COME BACK [ closing theme ]
4TH NOVEMBER 1944 (SAT) 11:45 am-12 Noon
Co-Partners Hall, Bedford
“Piano Parade” broadcast, AEFP
Pfc. Jack Rusin
CHOPSTICKS [ opening theme ] / DARN THAT DREAM / EASY TO LOVE / I’LL WALK ALONE / THE MERRY WIDOW / OH! LOOK AT ME NOW / OH, LADY BE GOOD / CHOPSTICKS [ closing theme ]
4TH 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 [ opening theme ] (voc: Ray McKinley) / FLYING HOME / WHATCHA KNOW JOE (voc: Ray McKinley) / SWEET AND LOVELY (voc: Johnny Desmond and The Crew Chiefs) / NINE TWENTY SPECIAL / GEORGIA ON MY MIND / UPTOWN FLAVOR [ “Boogie Woogie Trio”: Hucko, Powell, McKinley ] / I’LL WALK ALONE (voc: Johnny Desmond) / I HEAR YOU SCREAMIN’ / SONG AND DANCE [ closing theme ] (voc: Ray McKinley)
4TH 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
guest artist: Sgt. Bernie Privin
MY GUY’S COME BACK [ opening theme ] / CARAVAN / DREAM A LITTLE DREAM OF ME [“band-within-a-band” quartet: Hucko, Powell, Alpert, McKinley ] / I’LL BE SEEING YOU (voc: Johnny Desmond) / STRUTTIN WITH SOME BARBECUE [ featuring Sgt. Privin ] / MY GUY’S COME BACK [ closing theme ]
5TH NOVEMBER 1944 (SUN) 12:45-1:00 pm
Co-Partners Hall, Bedford
“Songs By Sgt. Johnny Desmond” broadcast, AEFP
all selections are vocals by Johnny Desmond
TIME ON MY HANDS [ opening theme ] / ALL THE THINGS YOU ARE / MY HEART STOOD STILL / I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU / DEEP SUMMER MUSIC / TIME ON MY HANDS
[ closing theme ]
[ to be continued ]
LOUIS’ LEGACY
In 1969 the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, Inc. was organized to promote and support jazz music, perpetuate the legacies of Louis and his wife, Lucille, and to “give back” some of the “goodness” that Louis had received during his long career.
Phoebe Jacobs was a driving force behind the Foundation, serving as their Executive Vice President, until her passing in 2012.
Organizational leadership changes were made at the Foundation’s recent annual meeting, so that Jackie Harris is now the new Executive Director of the Armstrong Foundation; Robin Bell-Stevens (the daughter of former Ellington bassist Aaron Bell) its new Vice President; and Susan Jacobs Devens (Phoebe Jacobs’ daughter) a new Board member. Jazz critic Stanley Crouch remains the Foundation’s President.
NEW COMPACT DISCS
Benny Goodman. “AFRS Benny Goodman Show Volume 19,” Sounds of Yester Year
( E ) DSOY 945.
Teddy Powell. “I Got Rhythm,” Sounds of Yester Year ( E ) DSOY 944.
NEW IN-PRINT AND / OR ONLINE
A.D. Amorosi. "Peggy King returns with a big voice - and songbook," Philadelphia [ PA]
Inquirer, Nov. 29, 2013. The former big band vocalist, now 83, says that one of the
leaders she worked for, Charlie Spivak, was "not the brightest bulb."
John T. Correll. "Glenn Miller's Air Force Odyssey," Air Force Magazine Online Journal,
airforcemag.com.
NECROLOGY
Marian Monroe, 101, d.Nov. 7, 2013. Widow of Vaughn Monroe.
Chris Sheridan, 70, d. Nov. 21, 2013. Author of Count Basie: A Bio-Discography.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
Herb Geller, b.Nov. 2, 1928. Alto saxophonist with Thornhill ’50.
Jim Harwood, b.Nov. 4, 1923. Trombonist with McKinley ’42; Miller AAF ’43-’44.
Louise Tobin, b.Nov. 11, 1918. Vocalist with James ’39; Goodman ’39; Bradley-McKinley
’40.
Johnny Mandel, b.Nov. 23, 1925. Trombonist – arranger with Raeburn ’45; Rich ’46 / ’48;
Shaw ’49; Basie ’53. Composer of The Shadow of Your Smile.
Jack Sheldon, b.Nov. 30, 1931. Trumpeter with Kenton ’58-’59; Goodman ’59-’60 / ’65 /
’76 / ’78.
REMEMBERING YOU
Phil Woods, b.Nov. 2, 1931. Alto saxophonist with Barnet ’54; Gillespie ’56; Rich ’58-59.
Joe Howard, b.Nov. 3, 1919. Trombonist with Herman '60 (two NBC-TV specials);
G Gray ’58 / '63.
Joe Benjamin, b.Nov. 4, 1919. Bassist with Shaw ’50; F Henderson ’50; Ellington ’51.
Joe Sullivan, b.Nov. 5, 1906. Pianist with Crosby ’37 / ’39; Armstrong ’52.
George Williams, b.Nov. 5, 1917. Arranger – composer with Miller ’41-’42; Krupa ’46-’49;
Anthony ’50-’53.
Dick Cathcart, b.Nov. 6, 1924. Trumpeter with McKinley ’42; Rey ’42; Crosby ’46; Pollack
’49-’50; Noble ’50-’51.
Ray Conniff, b.Nov. 6, 1916. Trombonist – arranger – composer with Berigan ’37-’38;
Crosby ’39-’40; Shaw ’40 / ’42-’42; James ’47.
Andy Gibson, b.Nov. 6, 1913. Arranger – composer for Barnet ’37-’47 not continuously
(including Blue Juice; Bunny; Charleston Alley; Shady Lady); Basie ’38-’42 (including
Apple Jump; Hollywood Jump; Jump for Me; Let Me See; Louisiana; Shorty George;
Tickle Toe; and The World Is Mad).
Joe Bushkin, b.Nov. 7, 1916. Pianist with Berigan '36 / '38-'39; T Dorsey ’40-’42;
Goodman ’46. Songwriter (Oh, Look At Me Now).
Howard Rumsey, b.Nov. 7, 1917. Bassist with Kenton ’41-’42.
Chris Connor, b.Nov. 8, 1927. Vocalist with Thornhill ’49; Wald ’49; Kenton ’52-’53.
Muggsy Spanier, b.Nov. 9, 1906. Cornetist with Lewis ’29-’36; Pollack ’36-’38.
Leader of own band.
Billy May, b.Nov. 10, 1916. Trumpeter – arranger with Barnet ’38-’38 / ’54 / ‘69; Miller
’40-’42. Arranger for Rey ’46. Leader of own band.
Hoagy Carmichael, b.Nov. 11, 1899. Vocalist with J Gray ’50; Whiteman ’56 (“50th
Anniversary Album”). Songwriter (Georgia On My Mind; Rockin’ Chair; Star Dust;
Up a Lazy River).
Buck Clayton, b.Nov. 12, 1911. Trumpeter with Basie ’36-’43; Goodman ’56 (“Benny
Goodman Story” film / ’57; Wilson ’57. Arranger for Basie (Down for Double;
It’s Sand, Man; Red Bank Boogie; Taps Miller); Ellington (Hollywood Hangover;
One O’Clock Jump); James (Jackpot).
Bennie Moten, b.Nov. 13, 1894. Leader of own band.
Billy Bauer, b.Nov. 14, 1915. Guitarist with Wald ’39; Herman ’44-’46 / ’58 / '59;
Byrne ’53-’54; Goodman ’58.
Nick Travis, b.Nov. 16, 1925. Trumpeter with Ayres ’42; Herman ’43; McKinley
’46-’48; Sauter-Finegan ’53-’56.
Wayne Andre, n.Nov. 17, 1931. Trombonist with Spivak ’50-’51; Sauter-Finegan ’55-’56;
Herman ’56.
Chuck Andrus, b.Nov. 17, 1928. Bassist with Barnet ’53; Thornhill ’54.
Shorty Sherock, b.Nov. 17, 1915. Trumpeter with Pollack ’36; J Dorsey ’38-'39 / '49 / '51
Crosby ’39; Krupa ’40-’41; T Dorsey ’41; Alexander ’59 (“Home of Happy Feet” album).
Johnny Mercer, b.Nov. 18, 1909. Singer with Dorsey Bros ’33; Whiteman ’34; Goodman
’39; Whiteman ’56 (“50th Anniversary Album”). Lyricist (Blues in the Night; Come Rain
Or Come Shine; Jeepers Creepers; Laura; Skylark; That Old Black Magic; Too
Marvelous for Words).
Boots Mussulli, b.Nov. 18, 1917. Alto and baritone saxophonist for Powell ’42; Kenton
’44 / ‘52; Krupa ’48; Ventura ’49.
Claude Williamson, b.Nov. 18, 1926. Pianist with Barnet ’47 / ’49; Norvo ’48.
Tommy Dorsey, b.Nov. 19, 1905. Leader of own band.
June Christy, b.Nov. 20, 1925. Vocalist with Kenton ’45-’49 / ’53 / ‘72; Heath ’57 / ’58.
Coleman Hawkins, b.Nov. 21, 1904. Tenor saxophonist with F Henderson ’23-’34.
Leader of own band.
Ernie Caceres, b.Nov. 22, 1911. Clarinetist – baritone saxophonist with Hackett ’37 /
’56-‘57; Teagarden ’38; Zurke ’39; Miller ’40-’42; Long ’42; Goodman ’43; T Dorsey
’43; Herman ’44; Butterfield ’47.
Tyree Glenn, b.Nov. 23, 1912. Trombonist with Carter ’37-’37; Calloway ’40-’46;
Redman ’46; Ellington ’47-'51; Armstrong '65-'68.
Serge Chaloff, b.Nov. 24, 1923. Baritone saxophonist with Reynolds ’39; Fields ’43;
I R Hutton ’44; Raeburn ’45; Auld ’45-'46; J Dorsey ’45-’46; Herman ’47-'49.
Al Cohn, b.Nov. 24, 1925. Tenor saxophonist with Auld ’43-’46; Rey ’47; Rich ’47;
Herman ’48-’49; Shaw ’49-’50; E Lawrence ’52.
Teddy Wilson, b.Nov. 24, 1912. Pianist with Armstrong ’31-’33; Goodman ’35-’39.
Leader of own band.
Gus Bivona, b.Nov. 25, 1917. Clarinetist – alto saxophonist with Hudson-DeLange ’37;
Berigan ’38; Powell ’39; Goodman ’40; Savitt ’41; Brown ’41; T Dorsey ’45; Crosby
’46; G Gray ’58.
Willie Smith, b.Nov. 25, 1908. Alto saxophonist – clarinetist with Lunceford ’30-’41;
Spivak ’42; James ’44-’51 / ’54-'63; Ellington ’51-’52; May ’52.
Jack Perciful, b.Nov. 26, 1925. Pianist with James ’58-73?.
George Wettling, b.Nov. 28, 1907. Drummer with Shaw ’36; Berigan ’37; Norvo ’37-’38
Whiteman ’38-’40; Spanier ’40 / ‘54, Marx ’42.
Hal McIntyre, b.Nov. 29, 1914. Alto saxophonist – clarinetist with Miller ’37-’41. Leader
of own band.
Billy Strayhorn, b.Nov. 29, 1915. Arranger – composer with Ellington ’39-’67 (including
After All; Day Dream; Johnny Come Lately; Midriff; Passion Flower; Raincheck;
Take the ‘A’ Train).
NAME BANDS LIVE
Tommy Dorsey Orchestra directed by Terry Myers. Nov. 1, Norman, OK.
Glenn Miller Orchestra directed by Nick Hilscher. Nov. 1, Princeton High School, Princeton,
NJ; Nov. 3, The Township Auditorium, Columbia, SC; Nov. 5, Lincoln Trail College
Robinson, IL; Nov. 7, Orpheum Theatre, Wichita, KS; Nov. 8, Heartland Events Center,
Grand Island, NE; Nov. 10, Algoma Club, Oshkosh, WI; Nov. 14-Nov. 30, portion of
Japan tour.
SNEAK PEEK
In next month’s “News,” an update on a former big band sideman and a review of a new book about a bandleading legend.
return to Big Band Library homepage
An era came to an end in the Spring of 2012 when The Glenn Miller Society, formed in London in 1950, and with members around the world, including myself, ceased operation and simultaneously ended the publication of its journal, the Moonlight
Serenader, after well over 300 issues.
The dedicated Chairman of the Society since 1956, Roland “Roly” Taylor, who also served as the journals' Editor and was in the midst of a multi-part investigation of The Glenn Miller Army Air Force Orchestra when the Society drew to a close, graciously consented to allowing the remaining portion of his series to be presented exclusively here.
[ l. ] Glenn Miller and Ilse Weinberger at an ABSIE microphone, 1944; [ r. ] the cover of a 1956 Moonlight Serenader, the year that Roland Taylor became its Editor
