Glenn Miller Orchestra continues in full swing
By Joanne Fox Journal staff writer | Posted: Friday, March 07, 2008
Larry O'Brien knows it don't mean a thing if you ain't got that swing.
As the music conductor for the legendary Glenn Miller Orchestra, O'Brien said audiences still love to hear the classics, such as, "A String of Pearls", "Tuxedo Junction" and "Pennsylvania 6-5000."
"There's a lot of folks who can't dance to the songs any more, but love to hear the music," said O'Brien, who will lead the group on March 14 as part of the Sioux City Concert Course presentation.
Although Glenn Miller was primarily and dance band with dance band tunes, today's orchestra is a concert format, not a dance format, O'Brien clarified.
"But that doesn't mean the audience doesn't tap their toes or clap along with the tunes," he said. "They express their appreciation for the music in those ways."
The legendary Glenn Miller was one of the most successful of all the dance bandleaders back in the Swing era of the 1930s and 40s. A matchless string of hit records, constant impact of radio broadcasts and the drawing power at dance pavilions and hotels built and sustained the momentum of popularity, O'Brien pointed out.
"The music has been popular for over 50 years, so we must be doing something right," he quipped.
Miller disbanded his musical organization in 1942, at the height of its popularity, and volunteered for the Army and led the famous Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band. It went to Europe to entertain servicemen, and then, on Dec. 15, 1944, Major Miller took off in a single-engine plane from England to precede his band to France, never to be heard from again. The Army declared him officially dead a year later.
Because of popular demand, the Miller Estate authorized the formation of the present Glenn Miller Orchestra in 1956 under the direction of drummer Ray McKinley. Since then, other leaders have followed McKinley including clarinetists Buddy DeFranco and Peanuts Hucko, trumpeter Dick Lowenthal and tenor sax player Dick Gerhart. O'Brien joined on as a trombone player in 1961, before wielding the baton for the first time 27 years ago.
"I was working in Las Vegas at the Dunes Hotel when I was asked to be the conductor," he said. "So from 1981 to 83 and then from 1988 until today, I've been leading the orchestra."
The 19-member band continues to play many of the original Miller arrangements that keep exciting fans who have not heard them played for a while. The entire repertoire now exceeds 1,700 compositions and keeps the band popular with both young and old.
"The appeal is the music," O'Brien said. "I think it recalls a time when things were much simpler -- love and romance and good stuff in your life. Lots of folks yearn to return to those times."
Two vocalists join the musicians in concert -- Julia Rich from Nashville, Tenn. and Ryan Garfi from Richmond, Va. Both have albums to their credit, O'Brien said, as does the Glenn Miller Orchestra.
"When I first started in the business, there were 300 to 400 bands performing," he said. "But today, the Glenn Miller Orchestra is the only full-time band left. All the others are part-time or gone."
The orchestra travels over 100,000 miles each year, playing nearly 300 dates. The Glenn Miller Orchestra has toured Japan annually since 1964. Much of the Japanese affection for the Big Band conductor is a result of the movie, "The Glenn Miller Story," starring Jimmy Stewart and June Allyson, O'Brien said.
"It's a big thing with them," he added. "You might say the Japanese have a 'yen' for Glenn."
The Sioux City Concert Course presents the Glenn Miller Orchestra at 7:30 p.m., March 14 at Eppley Auditorium on the Morningside College campus. Single ticket prices are $25 reserved and $20 general admission. Student rates are also available. For more information, call 276-2212 or visit the Concert Course's Web site at www.concertcourse.com.
As the music conductor for the legendary Glenn Miller Orchestra, O'Brien said audiences still love to hear the classics, such as, "A String of Pearls", "Tuxedo Junction" and "Pennsylvania 6-5000."
"There's a lot of folks who can't dance to the songs any more, but love to hear the music," said O'Brien, who will lead the group on March 14 as part of the Sioux City Concert Course presentation.
Although Glenn Miller was primarily and dance band with dance band tunes, today's orchestra is a concert format, not a dance format, O'Brien clarified.
"But that doesn't mean the audience doesn't tap their toes or clap along with the tunes," he said. "They express their appreciation for the music in those ways."
The legendary Glenn Miller was one of the most successful of all the dance bandleaders back in the Swing era of the 1930s and 40s. A matchless string of hit records, constant impact of radio broadcasts and the drawing power at dance pavilions and hotels built and sustained the momentum of popularity, O'Brien pointed out.
"The music has been popular for over 50 years, so we must be doing something right," he quipped.
Miller disbanded his musical organization in 1942, at the height of its popularity, and volunteered for the Army and led the famous Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band. It went to Europe to entertain servicemen, and then, on Dec. 15, 1944, Major Miller took off in a single-engine plane from England to precede his band to France, never to be heard from again. The Army declared him officially dead a year later.
Because of popular demand, the Miller Estate authorized the formation of the present Glenn Miller Orchestra in 1956 under the direction of drummer Ray McKinley. Since then, other leaders have followed McKinley including clarinetists Buddy DeFranco and Peanuts Hucko, trumpeter Dick Lowenthal and tenor sax player Dick Gerhart. O'Brien joined on as a trombone player in 1961, before wielding the baton for the first time 27 years ago.
"I was working in Las Vegas at the Dunes Hotel when I was asked to be the conductor," he said. "So from 1981 to 83 and then from 1988 until today, I've been leading the orchestra."
The 19-member band continues to play many of the original Miller arrangements that keep exciting fans who have not heard them played for a while. The entire repertoire now exceeds 1,700 compositions and keeps the band popular with both young and old.
"The appeal is the music," O'Brien said. "I think it recalls a time when things were much simpler -- love and romance and good stuff in your life. Lots of folks yearn to return to those times."
Two vocalists join the musicians in concert -- Julia Rich from Nashville, Tenn. and Ryan Garfi from Richmond, Va. Both have albums to their credit, O'Brien said, as does the Glenn Miller Orchestra.
"When I first started in the business, there were 300 to 400 bands performing," he said. "But today, the Glenn Miller Orchestra is the only full-time band left. All the others are part-time or gone."
The orchestra travels over 100,000 miles each year, playing nearly 300 dates. The Glenn Miller Orchestra has toured Japan annually since 1964. Much of the Japanese affection for the Big Band conductor is a result of the movie, "The Glenn Miller Story," starring Jimmy Stewart and June Allyson, O'Brien said.
"It's a big thing with them," he added. "You might say the Japanese have a 'yen' for Glenn."
The Sioux City Concert Course presents the Glenn Miller Orchestra at 7:30 p.m., March 14 at Eppley Auditorium on the Morningside College campus. Single ticket prices are $25 reserved and $20 general admission. Student rates are also available. For more information, call 276-2212 or visit the Concert Course's Web site at www.concertcourse.com.
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