Big Band Magazine - Magazine - Page 4
THE REAL GLENN
MILLER STORY
By Dennis M. Spragg
Part Seven (Photos Courtesy of Glenn Miller Collections, University of Colorado, Boulder)
Glenn Miller was blessed to have many talented musicians, singers and songwriters
in his band. On May 28, 1941, before Glenn Miller and his Orchestra left Hollywood,
the band recorded Billy May's brilliant adaptation of Billy Strayhorn's
"Take the 'A' Train." May's arrangement is a beautiful, moody and slower paced
conception of the classic. The contrast with Duke Ellington's Victor recording is both
startling and complimentary. This chart is a very under-appreciated and overlooked
view into the professionalism and bono-fides of the Miller band and a preview of
Billy May's 1950s genius.
During July, the band visited Kansas City, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, St. Louis, Eastwood
Gardens in Detroit and Washington, D. C. After wrapping up in Virginia Beach, Glenn
gave the band a 19-day vacation from one-nighters and stage appearances (they
continued their radio work). During the break Glenn and Helen bore sad news; their
Boston Terrier "Popps," given to them by Paul Whiteman and named for the maestro,
passed away. They cremated their beloved dog and saved his ashes.
In a brilliant move, Glenn hired renown jazz cornet and guitar genius Bobby Hackett,
who would add another dimension to the Miller repertoire and ensemble that was
nothing short of beautiful and exciting. Also, long-time friend and colleague
Hal Macintyre would be leaving the Miller reed section to lead his own band with
Miller's financial and management support. After several adjustments, including a
brief stint by the talented Babe Russin on tenor sax, with Tex Beneke briefly
switching to alto sax, eventually Lloyd "Skip" Martin would add his rich talent on
alto to the Miller band.
On August 11, the band had a blockbuster session back at Victor Studios in
New York, recording a bevy of tunes, including the future #1 hit, "Elmer's Tune."
On August 15, Marion Hutton returned from maternity leave and rejoined the band.
Over Labor Day weekend, the band premiered their new Saturday matinee
"Sunset Serenade" programs over the NBC-Blue network. Then Glenn Miller and his
Orchestra returned to the Café Rouge at the Hotel Pennsylvania in New York, the
popular destination with which the Miller band had become synonymous.
