[Dixielandjazz] Re: Glenn Miller Story

[Robert S. Ringwald]

When I had my Great Pacific Jazz Band in Los Angeles (1979-1995) Zeke Zarchy
was my trumpet player.  Zeke was the first musician that Miller asked for
when Miller went into the service.

Zeke was Glenn's best friend & played first trumpet in the band throughout
the war.  He has quite a story to tell about when the band arrived in France
& Glenn was not there to meet them.  The band was gathered together  & told
that the Captain (or Major, whatever he was at the time) was missing.

Zeke has been asked questions about Glen Miller for some 58 years & is tired
of talking about it.  So, I don't know if I'll get an answer.  If I do, I'll
send it on to the list.

BTW- Zeke, while not seen on-screen in the film, is on the sound track.

When interviewed about the movie, Zeke says that the film had 2 correct
things in it:

1.  Glen Miller was a musician & band leader;
2.  Glen Miller was in the service.

Zeke says, the rest is BS.  Especially the way Jimmy Stewart played Miller.

Miller was not wishy-washy.  He knew exactly what he wanted.  He knew the
sound he wanted, the style he wanted, how he wanted his musicians dressed,
etc.  Gawd forbid you showed up with unshined shoes...

Glen knew his music was commercial.  He was a very good business man & knew
that his sound would sell.

Jimmy Stewart did not play him correctly at all.

If you want to read more about Zeke Zarchy, go to my web site:

http://www.ringwald.com

Click on Great Pacific Jazz Band toward the bottom of the page.

Bob
mr.wonderful at ringwald.com
Placerville, CA, USA, Earth, Sol's System, Milky Way
Amateur (ham) Radio Station K6YBV
Fulton Street Jazz Band
See: http://www.ringwald.com
Boondockers Jazz & Comedy Band
See: http://www.theboondockers.com