The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra

About Glenn Miller

After years as a writer and sideman Glenn Miller decided to form his own band in in March of 1938 and the rest is history! 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 theaters and ballrooms built and sustained the momentum of popularity. Glenn disbanded his orchestra 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
and toured Europe to entertain servicemen performing numerous live and radio shows. On December 15, 1944, Major Miller left on a flight that disappeared over the English Channel and was never seen again. With the release of the major motion movie The Glenn Miller Story in 1954, interest and popular demand led the Miller Estate to authorize the formation of the Glenn Miller Orchestra. On June 6, 1956, 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 touring ever since. Today, the ensemble continues to play the original Miller arrangements both from the civilian band and the AAFB libraries. Just as it was in the 1930’s and 40’s, the Glenn Miller Orchestra is still the most sought after big band in the world today.