Glenn Miller Orchestra (1956–present)

The Glenn Miller Orchestra is a band formed after the loss of Glenn Miller, named in memory of him and the original Glenn Miller Orchestra.

Glenn Miller Orchestra
The Glenn Miller Orchestra, 2009.
The Glenn Miller Orchestra, 2009.
Background information
GenresJazz, Big band
Years active1956–present
MembersErik Stabnau, Jenny Swoish, Kevin Sheehan, Gary Meggs, Connor Baba, Ashley Hall, Chris Stein, Matt Gates, Joe Young IV, George Reinert III, Dave Ashley, Mike DeSousa, Byron McChord, Dean Schweiger
Past membersDon New, Dan Riley, Tex Beneke, Ray McKinley, Lenny Hambro, Peanuts Hucko, Dick Lowenthal, Buddy Morrow, Jimmy Henderson, Dick Gerhart, Henry Mancini, Larry O'Brien, Chris Fortner, Derek Kwong, Lee Taylor, Walt Kross, Bill Kotrba, Tim Pence, Cary Sheley, Steve Bleifuss, Andrew Burdick, David Bobroff, Terry Frenz II, Steve Molloy, Mike Manthey, Graham Breedlove, Jeff Wilfore, Alex Norris, Joe Weber, Rudy Petschauer, Jeremy Manasia, Tom McDonough, Tim Albright, Gary Tole, Clifford Shibly, Jack Sperling, Beat Kaestli, Dale Orris, Nick Hilscher, Bill Barbour, Dave Ryan, Robbie Hioki, Doug Cook, Barry Springer, Bill Barrett, Mike Duva, Julia Rich (vocal), Charlie Lee, Jeff Hughes, Roscoe Myers, Wally Besser, Darrell Hendricks, Larry Newman, Steve McCallum, Clayton Lucovich, Holbrook Riles III, Joel Linscheid, Jon Rees, Jonathan McQuade, Nigel Yancey, Dylan Schwab, Patrick Hession, Seth Lewis, Shawn Williams, James Navan, Betty Grable, Buck Clayton, Hoagy Carmichael, Art Tatum, Dominic "Nick" Barulli, Elliot Scozzaro, Karl Stabnau, Abdullah Ebrahim, Hayden Mapel, Ron Mills, Louie Leager, Gil Scott Chapman, Dan Gabel, Brad Black, Natalie Angst (vocal).
Websitewww.glennmillerorchestra.com

History

After the disappearance of Glenn Miller in 1944, the band was reconstituted under the direction of Tex Beneke, its lead tenor saxophonist, singer, and one of Miller's longtime close friends. A few years later, the Miller estate, having parted ways with Beneke over creative differences, hired Ray McKinley, principal drummer and later leader of the Major Glenn Miller Army Air Forces Orchestra, to organize a new "ghost band" in 1956, the Glenn Miller Orchestra. In the 1990s, the GMO was also called the World-Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra.

Hollywood contributed to the band's popularity and that of its founder and original members with the 1953 release of The Glenn Miller Story on the big screen. The band garnered award nominations and box office success, as well as top hit status for its soundtrack album in 1954.

The Glenn Miller Orchestra has recorded and performed under various leaders, from 1956 to this day. Clarinetist Buddy DeFranco succeeded McKinley in 1966.[1][2]

Larry O'Brien served as director of the World-Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra from 1981 to 1983 and from 1988 to 2010.[3]

Singer Nick Hilscher became the director of the touring band in 2012, replacing previous director Gary Tole.

Saxophonist/Vocalist Erik Stabnau was announced as Music Director in August 2021.

Members

Current as of 2022[4]

  • Erik Stabnau – Music Director / Vocalist / Tenor Saxophone
  • Jenny Swoish – Female Vocalist
  • Kevin Sheehan – Lead Alto Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Arranger
  • Gary Meggs – 2nd Alto Saxophone, Clarinet
  • Allen Cordingley – Tenor Saxophone 1, Clarinet, Flute
  • Justin Williams – Tenor Saxophone 2, Clarinet, flute
  • Connor Baba – Baritone Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Flute
  • Ashley Hall – Lead Trumpet
  • Matthew Gates – Split Lead /2nd Trumpet
  • Joe Young IV – Jazz/3rd Trumpet
  • Christopher Stein – Trumpet /4th Trumpet
  • George Reinert III – Lead Trombone
  • Dave Ashley – 2nd Trombone
  • Dan Gabel – 3rd Trombone
  • Michael DeSousa – Bass Trombone, 4th Trombone
  • Gil Scott Chapman – Piano/Sound Tech
  • Dean Schweiger – Drums
  • Charlie Himel – Upright Bass

Discography

Albums

References
  1. "Buddy DeFranco". glennmillerorchestra.com. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  2. "Ray McKinley". glennmillerorchestra.com. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  3. "Larry O'Brien". glennmillerorchestra.com. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  4. "Personnel". Glenn Miller Orchestra. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  5. "The Glenn Miller Orchestra - in the Digital Mood". Discogs.


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