big Band Reigns with the Glenn Miller Orchestra

Media Contact:

Kristen Gleason
Director of Marketing
The Paramount Theater
215 East Main Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
434.979.1922 ext. 103
kristen@theparamount.net

For Immediate Release

August 8, 2007

The most popular and sought-after big band today, The World-Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra plays an average of 300 concerts around the world each year.  Under the direction of trombonist Larry O’Brien, that classic Glenn Miller sound -- from “In The Mood” and “Pennsylvania 6-5000” to “Chattanoogo Choo Choo” and “Moonlight Serenade” -- lives on. 

Returning to The Paramount Theater for an encore performance, the Orchestra will give a concert of favorites on Sunday, August 26 at 4 pm.

This performance is sponsored by Grace and Gene Carpenter.  Special Media Sponsor is WVIR NBC 29.

Alton Glenn Miller first recorded under his own name in 1935.  Using six horns, a rhythm section, and a string quartet, he recorded "Moonlight on the Ganges" and "A Blues Serenade" for Columbia.   Miller then stepped out to form his own band in 1937, but the group never really took off. 

It is said that Miller could never remember precisely the moment he decided to emphasize his new reed section, but he realized its unique sound -- produced by the clarinet holding the melodic line while the tenor sax plays the same note supported harmonically by three other saxophones -- just might be the individual and easily-recognizable style that would set his band apart.

Formed in March 1938, the second Glenn Miller Orchestra soon began breaking attendance records all up and down the East Coast.  There were record-breaking recordings, as well, such as "Tuxedo Junction" (which sold 115,000 copies in its first week) "In the Mood", and "Pennsylvania 6-5000" on the RCA Victor Bluebird label.  This seemingly sudden rise to the top was capped by Glenn Miller's "Moonlight Serenade" radio series which aired three times a week on CBS.  

In 1941, it was off to Hollywood, where the band worked on its first movie, "Sun Valley Serenade".  Featuring the Modernaires and the Nicholas Brothers, the film introduced the song -- and soon-to-be million selling record --"Chattanooga Choo Choo."

In 1942 Miller reported for induction into the Army.  Transferred to the Army Air Corps, he ultimately organized the Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band, which gave over 800 performances.  In the fall of 1944, the band was scheduled to be sent on a six-week tour of Europe and stationed in Paris.  Miller decided to go in advance to make arrangements.  On December 15th he boarded a transport plane to Paris, never to be seen again.

Larry O’Brien has been the leader of the Glenn Miller Orchestra since 1988.  It is the second time that Larry has held this position; the first time being from June 1981 through September 1983, when he was called away by other commitments.  O’Brien first performed with the Miller band in the early 1960s -- a direct link back to the Glenn Miller sense of performance, as Ray McKinley (who served in Europe with Glenn Miller’s Army Air Force Band) was the leader then. 

O’Brien has his own ideas about how to keep the Miller style and sound fresh.  “I’m a traditionalist, but we’re not nit-picking Miller.  Some of the more modern part of our repertoire we play in the big band style.  Some we don’t.  What we’re trying to do is run this band the way we feel Glenn would have if he were still here.” 

That the Miller sound still lives on is no surprise to O’Brien.  “It seems that good things just don’t ever die.  Rather, they age gracefully and mellow with the years.  If anything, I honestly think the authentic Glenn Miller music today is more popular with more people than ever before.”

Tickets for The Glenn Miller Orchestra on Sunday, August 26 at 4 pm are $28.50, $31.50, $34.50, and $39.50.  Half-price student rush tickets and group discounts are also available.   

Tickets are available online or through The Paramount’s Box Office at 434.979.1333. 

For more information about The Glenn Miller Orchestra, please visit www.glennmillerorchestra.com.