Elthon Glenn Miller American trombonist, arranger, composer, big band leader. Date of Birth: 01.03.1904 Country: USA

Biography of Glenn Miller

Glenn Miller was an American trombonist, arranger, composer, and bandleader. He was born on March 1, 1904, in Clarinda, Iowa. Miller attended Fort Morgan High School from 1920 to 1924 and then went on to study at the University of Colorado from 1924 to 1926. At the age of 13, he bought his first trombone with money he earned from milking cows. He was paid $2 a week for this job. The trombone remained his favorite instrument throughout his life, and he played it so well at a young age that he was accepted into the Boyd Senter Band.

After college, Miller had the opportunity to play in the Ben Pollack Band, which included future music stars such as Benny Goodman, Gill Robin, Fud Livingston, and Dick Morgan. In September 1926, The Pollack Band recorded the songs "When I First Met Mary" and "Deed I Do," which were likely the first recordings arranged by Miller. He remained with this band until he moved to New York City in late 1928. Around the same time, Miller married his longtime friend Helen Burger and moved to Manhattan. Over the years, Miller's talent grew and developed, thanks to his work with renowned musicians such as the Dorsey Brothers, Jack Teagarden, and Gene Krupa. During this time, Miller also worked on creating his own big band, which released its first record in 1935. However, he had to disband his orchestra multiple times due to financial difficulties.

Promoter Si Shibman convinced Miller to give it another try, and he formed a band with four loyal musicians: Hal McIntyre (alto saxophone), Rolly Bundock (bass), Chummy MacGregor (piano), and Bob Price. Ray Eberle (vocals) and Tex Beneke (tenor sax) also joined the new band and played crucial roles. This time, Miller was lucky and secured the support of the General Artists Corporation, one of the largest talent agencies, which helped him sign a contract with the renowned Bluebird label. Miller's band went on tour again. In 1939, they achieved a breakthrough when they were invited to perform at Casino New Rochelle. Their concerts were sold out, breaking attendance records. The band continued to achieve remarkable success, setting records for ticket sales at various venues.

From September to April, the band recorded four records per week. During this time, iconic melodies such as "Moonlight Serenade," "Little Brown Jug," and "In the Mood" were recorded. In late 1939, the band started a series of radio shows that lasted over two and a half years and attracted major sponsors. They performed three radio concerts a week and consistently topped the charts. By mid-June, the band was earning up to $10,000 per week, and Downbeat magazine estimated their annual income from ticket sales alone to be $630,000. In 1941, the 20th Century Fox released the film "Sun Valley Serenade," featuring Miller's band performing hits like "I Know Why," "It Happened in Sun Valley," and "Chattanooga Choo Choo." More than a million records of these songs were sold, earning Miller his first gold record. The band continued to make appearances in movies, including the Hollywood film "Orchestra Wives."

In 1942, at the peak of his career, Glenn Miller enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces. He began his service as a captain and eventually became a major. Miller planned to create a military orchestra, and he achieved this by merging two military bands into one giant big band that included many well-known musicians. The new band, now called the "American Band of the Allied Expeditionary Forces," made its debut in a show called "I Sustain The Wings" at the University of Connecticut. Miller intended to go to Europe, where the major wartime events were taking place. To deceive the military command, who wanted to protect him, Miller used his full name Alton G. Miller in his application to be deployed to the front lines. In 1944, the Allied forces began the D-Day invasion of Normandy. The newly named Glenn Miller Big Band arrived in Gourock, Scotland, to provide morale support for the operation. Miller participated in radio broadcasts for the troops and performed concerts at various military bases. However, on December 15, 1944, Miller boarded a U.S. military plane from England to Paris, and the plane disappeared. The official statement from the military suggested that the plane may have crashed into the sea due to icing conditions. However, there have been alternative theories about Miller's death, including one that suggests he died in a Paris brothel from a heart attack. Despite the mysterious circumstances of his death, Miller's music remains timeless. His records have been reissued countless times, and his films continue to be shown on television and in theaters. Miller's unique sound and the charm of his music have captivated generations of listeners. His orchestra, which carries his name, continues to perform and preserve the distinctive Miller sound.