The Glenn Miller Orchestra UK was founded by Ray McVay in the 80's . This was done after talks with the Glenn Miller Estate, who had listened to many of Ray McVay's tracks.
Who is Ray McVay?
Ray McVay was born in the late 30's in Scotland. He became a professional musician at the tender age of 13 as a rocking sax player. In the 50's he became a music director for many big names such as Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran, Conway Twitty and Billy Fury.
As Rays name got bigger and better known in the music industry, and fronted his own show band known as the Ray McVay Orchestra. He started to play for the Mecca Organization playing around the country before headlining at Mecca's big venue, the Lyceum Ballroom in London's west end.. Ray McVay then became a household name in the UK when he was featured on the TV series Come Dancing, winning him 12 Car Allen Awards.
Glenn Miller?
Glenn Miller was born in the USA in 1904. He started to learn how to play the trombone and had such a love for music, he joined the Ben Pollack Orchestra, where he started to write his own music. Glenn also played with people like Benny Goodman and Ray Nobel. In 1937, he formed his own band, playing at some hotels, on the radio and did some recordings. He formed his own Orchestra in 1938, this Orchestra became the core to what we know now as the Glenn Miller Orchestra. This is when he won his first Gold Disc for "Chattanooga Choo Choo". During the was Glenn helped the war effort. His last public proformance was in 1942, when he joined the army and was assigned to the Army Specialist Corps, he then transferred to the Army Air Corps. It was here that he organized the Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band. After the liberation of France, the band was due to fly to Paris on the 16th December, but he wanted to get there early to make preparations for the concerts. On the 15th December 1944, Glenn Miller, and Norman Baesell, together with their pilot, took off to Paris from an airfield near Bedford. They were never seen again. Five days later, an official bulletin was issued to say that Major Glenn Miller was "missing in flight, presumed to be lost". On Christmas Eve that year the world learned that Glenn Miller was dead. The band continued with the tour and played their last concert in Le Havre.
So what songs does the Glenn Miller Orchestra play?
Some of the songs that they play, used from the original score that Glenn Miller used himself include:
A string of pearls American patrol Chattanooga Choo Choo In the Mood Little brown jug Pennsylvania 65000
They also play;
The White cliffs of Dover Swing low, sweet chariot Two o'clock jump
Any other information?
The Glenn Miller Orchestra also has a vocal group called the Moonlight Serenaders, where their harmonies have become somewhat special with the band. There is also the Uptown Gang that is a group within the Glenn Miller Orchestra that is some of the finest jazz players in the UK.
The Glenn Miller Orchestra also have had some if the original Glenn Miller band play with them on tour across the world, these include Zech Zarchy and Willie Shwatz before they passed away.
The Orchestra has played at many venues across the UK; these include the Edinburough Jazz Festival, Leeds Castle, Smithfield Market and the VE Celebration in Portsmouth. They have also played in Japan, Dubai, Russia, Uruguay and Spain.
Ray McVay and the Glenn Miller Orchestra also have a web site that tells you where they are playing and where you can see them, this website is very helpful as you can also place requests for certain songs should you be going to one of their many concerts or if you want a dedication at the concert. Ray McVay loves to see the guests dance in the isles.
The concert is well preformed, with great information about Glenn Miller and how the music came about. This Orchestra plays for around about an hour and a half, with a 30 minute break in the middle. The singers and the musicians are some of the best around and this is noticeable with they way that they play their instruments. All the musicians wear American Second World War uniforms.
Would I recommend?
I am little bios here as Ray McVay is my father, however, if you love Big Band music or love the Glenn Miller Orchestra then this is a must night out. If you are into Glenn Miller fully, then they also have open air concerts, where many come dressed up in WW2 clothing and dance to the music all day long. Ray McVay also tells the audience about Glenn Miller, the music and how the songs originated, therefore making these concerts great for those who have an interest in music, those who just want to learn or those who just love the music. I do find however these concerts are not very good for the very young children as they can get bored, however, my children love to watch the band and have done since they were 6 years old.
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