[Dixielandjazz] The Glenn Miller Orchestra reviewed -- Jersey Jazz

[Robert Ringwald]

By Joe Lang:

I saw the Glenn Miller Orchestra recently, and here were my impressions as I wrote
in my review for Jersey Jazz:
CAUGHT IN THE ACT
THE GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA
The Newton Theater, Newton, NJ
October 20, 2013
By Joe Lang
In December of next year it will be 70 years since Glenn Miller's plane disappeared
over the English Channel. In the ensuing years, his music has enjoyed a continuing
popularity that is amazing. Of all the bands of the Big Band Era, the Miller band
seems to have retained more currency than that of any or its contemporary peers.
The Glenn Miller Orchestra was reconstituted in 1956, and has been touring continuously
since then. The current band, under the leadership of vocalist Nick Hilscher, is
on the road for about 48 weeks each year.
Given this history, and having seen a few other "ghost" bands through the years,
it would not have been surprising to attend the concert by the Glenn Miller Orchestra
at the Newton Theater, and find a group of musicians going through the motions, bored
with playing the same charts night after night. Well, I am pleased to report that
the Glenn Miller Orchestra is a vibrant band that plays with enthusiasm, and is manned
by excellent musicians who make the arrangements seem as fresh as the day that they
were conceived.
Yes, they play the hits, and while doing so make you recognize why these arrangements
have a continuing appeal. Having been a long-time fan of this music, I found the
performance that I saw thrilling. The band is comprised of 16 quality musicians who
are magnificent in their ensemble playing, and impressive when given opportunities
to solo. The charts are opened up to allow virtually each member of the band to have
a chance to exhibit their individual creativity and outstanding musicianship.
>From the first strains of "Moonlight Serenade," the feeling in the Newton Theater
was one of happiness and expectation. When they went immediately into a rousing take
on "Everybody Loves My Baby," it became evident that this was a band with jazz chops
as well as an unrelenting swing feeling.
As the program progressed, there were the expected favorites like "String of Pearls,"
"Pennsylvania 6-5000,""St. Louis Blues March," "American Patrol," "Jersey Bounce,"
"Little Brown Jug," "Tuxedo Junction" and, of course, "In the Mood."
Hilscher was an engaging host, and the man can sing. He mixed Miller favorites like
"Moonlight Becomes You" and "(There'll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover"
with Sinatra/Riddle versions of "I've Got You Under My Skin" and "Night and Day."
Filling the "canary" chair was the wonderful Julia Rich. She brought back many memories
with "I Know Why (and So Do You)," and sparkled on her other selections. Joined by
three gentlemen from the band, reedmen Kevin Sheehan and Ian O'Beirne plus trombonist
Joe Zeigenfus, they formed the Moonlight Serenaders, patterned after Marion Hutton
and the Modernaires. That memorable sound was reflected as they, along with Hilscher,
gave us "Chattanooga Choo Choo" and "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree."
Hilscher indicated that they try to include a few surprises at each performance,
and in this instance the gem was an unrecorded and unnamed chart written by Billy
May that was simply numbered 791 in the band book. It was unmistakably May, and great
to hear.
As the band returned to "Moonlight Serenade," the Miller theme song that signified
the conclusion of the concert, the sold out audience rose to its feet in enthusiastic
tribute to a superb afternoon of music. This reception resulted in the band digging
into Jerry Gray's flag-waver "Here We Go Again" to serve up as an encore.
As the crowd exited, there was a sea of smiling faces reflecting the joy that the
cats in the Glenn Miller Orchestra had brought into their lives. The smiling faces
in the band throughout the concert indicated that they were having as much fun as
the audience, and that was reflected in their playing.
-30


-Bob Ringwald K6YBV
www.ringwald.com
916/ 806-9551

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