Glenn Miller

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Clarinda IA, United States

Alton Glenn Miller was born in Clarinda, Iowa on March 1, 1904. He started his musical career when his father brought home a mandolin. As soon as possible, he traded the instrument for an old horn, which he practiced diligently.

During the late 1920s and early 1930s, Miller managed to earn a living working as a freelance trombonist in several bands. His first band was formed in 1937 but failed to distinguish itself and eventually broke up.

Following the break-up of his first band, Miller realized that he needed to develop a unique sound, and decided to make the clarinet play a melodic line with a tenor saxophone on the same note, while three other saxophones harmonized. With this sound combination, the Miller band that became the most popular was born in 1938. After a shaky start, it made his new band a nationwide hit.

In 1942, Miller joined the United States Army Air Forces where he continued his musical career with the Army Air Force Band.

On December 15, 1944, Miller was to fly from the United Kingdom to Paris, France, to play for the soldiers who had recently liberated Paris. His plane departed from RAF Twinwood Farm in Clapham, Bedfordshire and disappeared while flying over the English Channel. No trace of the aircrew, passengers or plane has ever been found. Miller’s status is missing in action.
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Popular tags: jazz, swing, big band, 40s, oldies  See more

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  • MusicHallofFame

    The Music Hall of Fame are delighted to induct Glenn Miller into the Class of 1960. Congratulations. Please vist our page too see the latest inductees into the Music Hall of Fame

    Saturday evening
  • Fullmettall

    Ninguém entende um gênio,ae quando ele morre...

    last month
  • theseasonisours

    :-p

    December 2011
  • boomshamble

    Thanks!

    December 2011
  • theseasonisours

    YES FIX IT PLEASE

    December 2011
  • boomshamble

    I completely agree! No caps....Glenn was a classy dude.

    December 2011
  • theseasonisours

    nooo not caps please i'm particular about my charts don't make me delete glenn miller

    December 2011
  • ineedcoffee21

    Has truly changed the world of Jazz and Swing, we love you Glenn! We wish you could still be with us.... rest in peace! x

    November 2011
  • Detectiveli

    Glenn Miller Orchestra rocked Moscow today :) Hooray for Glenn Miller!

    November 2011
  • ColonelTheSlav

    Yeah, and Elvis comes every weekend to mow their lawn.

    August 2011
  • The_Albion

    He's not dead, he's got a house with Tupac in Panama.

    July 2011
  • javiikiller

    355.655 listeners are In the mood!

    May 2011
  • sheldonlt

    tbf, he could still be alive.

    April 2011
  • priedits

    perfect!

    April 2011
  • oaquard

    One of my inspirations to keep on playing trombone. I would have given it up in middle school if I hadn't found him and Stewart Dempster.

    April 2011
  • Juzzy94

    just 350000 listeners -_-

    April 2011
  • Kershlaus91

    tragic ending... but great jazz figure =)

    March 2011
  • fastfoodhiphop

    i like

    March 2011
  • ingdicle

    moonlight

    March 2011
  • Juzzy94

    I was at Glenn Miller Orchestra in monday, that's was AWESOME!

    March 2011
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