Glenn Miller
Glenn Miller with his trombone
During the 1920’s, 30’s, and 40’s Big Band music was very popular in the United States and one of the people who was most well known at the time was Glenn Miller. When he was in his late 20’s and early 30’s, he found that he was not able to make a living as a musician, as it was very competitive, so instead he began to focus on writing music and directing bands, which he was very good at. Just after the United States entered the Second World War, Miller decided to support his country by joining the military. Unfortunately, he was too old to be drafted and even after volunteering, was turned away by the Navy. He wrote letters to the Army and was able to convince them that he could be of service to "put a little more spring into the feet of our marching men and a little more joy into their hearts".
Did you know…?
Glenn Miller played the trombone, cornet and mandolin.
glenn miller leading the Army Air Force Band performing in england. Air Force photo by Air University History Office
As a composer, he tried to modernise traditional military marches by adding jazz elements to them, which wasn’t always a popular choice. The song ‘St Louis Blues March’ was an example of this. However, due to his fame in the civilian world, he was given the opportunity to create the Army Air Force Band which was made up of 50 musicians. In the summer of 1944, the Army Air Force Band went to England and performed over 800 shows for service members and civilians to boost morale. They performed in airplane hangars, munition factories and hospitals.
Did you know…?
Glenn Miller and the Army Air Force Band recorded an album in the Abbey Road Studio in London, the same place The Beatles recorded several years later.
On the way back to Paris from England in December 1944, his plane disappeared over the English Channel. After his death, he was awarded the Bronze Star - "Major Miller, through excellent judgment and professional skill, conspicuously blended the abilities of the outstanding musicians, comprising the group into a harmonious orchestra whose noteworthy contribution to the morale of the armed forces has been little less than sensational."
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