The Glenn Miller archive is in Colorado

Q. You referred to the Glenn Miller archive in a recent article. What and where are they?

A. The Glenn Miller Archive is at Colorado University's American Music Research Center in Boulder, Colorado.

Visitors can view 29 gold records, Miller's trombones and an original manuscript of his theme song, "Moonlight Serenade." In 1984 Miller was posthumously awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters, CU-Boulder's highest academic honor.

"We invite people to come up and see the gold records, including the first gold record ever awarded*," said archive curator Alan Cass. "We also have Miller's first trombone and his college trombone."

The archive are quartered in Macky Auditorium, Cass said, and is now part of the American Music Research Center. Archivists are currently filing, indexing and cataloging the Miller collection.

Here is a sample of the contents of its vaults; They recently reported that it has acquired 1,400 reel- to-reel tapes containing hundreds of hours of live radio programs from the big-band era.

The new donation to the Glenn Miller Archive at CU's American Music Research Center is the second major acquisition in the past few years, and it helps secure CU's position as the leading depot for big-band artifacts. Glenn Miller attended the school in the 1920s.
About 30 donors made contributions to purchase the Edward Burke Collection, named after its founder. The broadcasts include, in addition to Glenn Miller, the big bands of Tommy Dorsey, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman.

Just in case you are new to the magic of Glenn Miller and the Big Band era; Miller, born in 1904, attended CU-Boulder from 1923 to 1924 and played in a band of students known as Holly Moyer's Jazz Band. He left school to continue his professional career, playing trombone and arranging music for the bands of Benny Goodman, Red Nichols, the Dorsey Brothers, Ray Noble and others.
He started his own group in 1937, and it quickly became the most popular band in the country. In 1940 alone, the Glenn Miller Orchestra recorded 45 songs that made it into the top-seller charts - a record that still stands. The band was awarded the first-ever gold record in 1942 for selling more than 1 million copies of their hit "Chattanooga Choo-Choo." Other hit tunes included "Tuxedo Junction," "American Patrol," and "In The Mood."
Tragically, Miller was killed only two years later when his plane disappeared over the English Channel. Miller had left his band at the height of its popularity in order to serve as an officer in the U.S. Army, and was in Europe organizing shows for American troops fighting in World War II. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his dedication and sacrifice.
In 1953, students at CU-Boulder officially named the University Memorial Center's ballroom in honor of Miller. Miller's wife Helen, herself a CU-Boulder alumna, convinced the filmmakers of the "Glenn Miller Story" starring Jimmy Stewart to film part of the feature on the CU-Boulder campus.
Today the campus is home to the Glenn Miller Archive and a number of exhibits. At the University's Heritage Center inside Old Main, visitors can view 29 gold records, Miller's trombones and an original manuscript of his theme song, "Moonlight Serenade." In 1984 Miller was posthumously awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters, CU-Boulder's highest academic honor.
"We invite people to come up and see the gold records, including the first gold record ever awarded," said archive curator Alan Cass. "We also have Miller's first trombone and his college trombone."
The archive are quartered in Macky Auditorium, Cass said, and is now part of the American Music Research Center. Archivists are currently filing, indexing and cataloging the Miller collection.
More information on the Glenn Miller Archive, including hours and contact information, can be found at http://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/amrc.

The first gold record ever awarded? Do you know?

Suggested by the author:

• Chattanooga Choo Choo never left from track 29!
• Chattanooga Choo Choo lyrics

Listen to Glenn Miller AFR programs: This week-Bob Hope

 

Dennis M. Spragg, Glenn Miller fan # One,  writes;

"A restored and digitized recording of "G. I. Journal" episode 42, featuring Bob Hope, will air on the Glenn Miller Archive "Star Spangled Radio Hour", our Glenn Miller Archive radio program which airs every Saturday at 6:00 p.m. MDT (GMT-6) on KEZW, AM 1430 and FM HD 101.1, and streaming on the internet at www.kezw.com or www.studio1430.com.

The Bob Hope AFRS program is airing this week to recognize the passing last week of Dolores Hope at the request of Rick Crandall. The G. I. Journal episode also stars Betty Grable and includes music by the Glenn Miller AAF Orchestra. Hope is especially funny on this program, which also features Jerry Colonna, Mel Blanc, Ransom Sherman and Arthur Q. Bryan. Grable is also in prime form and shows a great self-depreciating sense of humor. 

Hope’s performance is proof that AFRS could get away with copy that could never get past the network censors. His service audience overseas naturally ate it up. The restoration was engineered by David Bennett and it is part of the GMA Christopher Way Collection. Read about Hope's sexual exploits by CLICKING HERE.
Airing along with the G. I. Journal episode, we will be airing the November 20, 1943 OWI "Uncle Sam Presents" program which was recorded at NBC. What else? Captain Miller and his men appear in the first program courtesy of NBC splicing “I Sustain the Wings” recordings from NBC New York into the NBC Hollywood production, so it seemed natural to have them continue the show. This is a previously unissued recording featuring four “new” performances of tunes and the "ride-out" tune which may be of interest. This one needs some more work to correct flaws apparent on the tape."

Homepage - Studio 1430 www.studio1430.com KEZW Studio 1430, the best timeless music on a Denver radio station. Big band, broadway & show tunes. Thank you Dennis.

Jazz Club at Sea to sail in November

The Annual Jazz Party At Sea November 4 - 11, 2012

The Annual Jazz Party At Sea is pleased to announce the lineup for the 12th Annual departure, November 4 - 11, 2012. We will set sail from New Orleans for 7 nights aboard Norwegian Cruise Line's m/s Norwegian Star visiting Costa Maya, Belize City, Roatan and Cozumel. Featured artists include Renee Rosnes Quartet with Peter Washington, Lewis Nash and Steve Wilson, The Judy Carmichael Trio with Harry Allen and Chris Flory, Bill Charlap, Paulinho Garcia, Eric Alexander Quartet with Harold Mabern, Nat Reeves and Joe Farnsworth, Steve Turre, Lynne Arrial trio with Omer Avital and Anthony Pinciotti, Everett Greene, The Winard Harper Septet with Roy Assaf, Stephen Porter, Michael Dease, Bruce Harris, Jovan Alexandre and Alioune Faye, Willie Pickens, Larry Gray, Paul Wertico and Stu Katz. More artists will be announced shortly. In addition to this jazz extravaganza aboard ship, there will be a pre-cruise jazz package offered in New Orleans, choose from 1, 2 or 3 nights. Cruise fares include 7 night cruise with choice of time and restaurant for all meals, entrance to all jazz concerts, parties, rap sessions and events, all customary ship programs and activities, pre-paid gratuities to shipboard personnel, port charges, government taxes and fees. Fares begin at $1239 per person based on double occupancy. This private party is sponsored by the Annual Jazz Party At Sea Consortium; Jazz Club At Sea (US), Chancery Cruising (UK), and PS Tours (DE). Those persons booking directly with NCL, the internet or elsewhere will not be admitted to these events.

For bookings contact Jazz Club At Sea, 800-433-0493 or email jcas@ajpas.com

Doris Day's first new album in 17 years !

A new Doris Day album!  This is Doris' first studio album of new material in 17 years; a dozen songs of a timeless quality, with nine brand-new recordings produced by top UK record producer Ted Carfrae from sessions originally produced by Day's late son, Terry Melcher plus a trio of Day classics.

Doris Day has been fully involved with the musical selections for this special release. Her son Terry Melcher--who was known as a songwriter and producer for folk-rock pioneers The Byrds and other artists--co-wrote four of the new songs with Beach Boys member Bruce Johnston: the emotional title track "My Heart," the romantic "The Way I Dreamed It," the haunting "Happy Endings" sung by Melcher with a newly recorded spoken-word introduction by Day for her fans and the single release "Heaven Tonight."

Also on the set list are three classic rock-era favorites: Joe Cocker's ballad "You Are So Beautiful", the Lovin Spoonful's joyful 1966 hit "Daydream" and The Beach Boys' nostalgic "Disney Girls," the latter written by Bruce Johnston, who co-produced three of the recordings on the album. Sony.

To hear excerpts or to order click here.
1. Hurry, It's Lovely Up Here
2. Daydream
3. The Way I Dreamed It
4. Heaven Tonight
5. My One and Only Love
6. My Heart
7. You Are So Beautiful
8. Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries
9. Disney Girls
10. My Buddy
11. Happy Endings
12. Ohio

To buy CLICK HERE 

Remember Andy Russell ?

On this date in 1919 singer Andy Russell was born. His recordings of "Besame Mucho" and "What a Difference a Day Makes" sold millions of copies and he is remembered for replacing Frank Sinatra on the radio show "Your Hit Parade,"

Andy Russell, whose original name was Andres Rabago, was born in Los Angeles. He began his career as a singer and drummer in several bands and reached stardom about the same time as Mr. Sinatra and Perry Como.

His recording of "Besame Mucho" was the first of a string of million-record sellers. It was soon followed by "What a Difference a Day Makes," "Laughing on the Outside," "Magic Is the Moonlight" and "Amor."

Mr. Russell's big break came in 1947 when he replaced Frank Sinatra as the lead singer on the radio show "Your Hit Parade." He worked extensively in Latin America in the 1950's and 60's, starring in several films and serving as host of "The Andy Russell Show" on Argentine television from 1956 to 1965.

He returned to the United States in the late 1960's, but never regained the acclaim he once enjoyed here. He died in 1992 at the age of 72.

How many hits did Tommy Dorsey have?

Q. How many hits did Tommy Dorsey record? What was the most popular?

A.  The great Tommy Dorsey had seventeen number one hits with his orchestra in the 1930s and 1940s including: "On Treasure Island", "The Music Goes 'Round and Around", "You", "Marie" (by Irving Berlin), "Satan Takes a Holiday", "The Big Apple", "Once in a While", "The Dipsy Doodle", "Our Love", "All the Things You Are", "Indian Summer", and "Dolores".

He had two more number one hits in 1935 when he was a member of the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra: "Lullaby of Broadway", number one for two weeks, and "Chasing Shadows", number one for three weeks.

His biggest hit was "I'll Never Smile Again", featuring Frank Sinatra on vocals, which was number one for twelve weeks on the Billboard pop singles chart in 1940. "In the Blue of Evening" was number 1 on the Billboard pop singles chart in 1943.

Clare Teal... one of the U.K.'s top singers

We are writing from the U.K. (vacation)...one of the best British vocalists is Clare Teal... who is largely unknown in the States. Attached are two videos of Clare, please view.

Here is a message we received today from Clare (Note: The Proms series on the BBC from London's Albert Hall is a hot ticket. Hottest, of all is the fabulous "Last Night At The Proms.")

"The quickest TDN in history from the tail end of our incredibly busy semi-sunny summer. There is so much to tell, we need to catch our breath and probe our memories.

For now, I just wanted let you know that in case you hadn't anything better to do on Saturday night, or if you had one of those fancy recording machines, or if X-Factor simply doesnt do it for you ..... well you can watch me on BBC2 in THE PROMS (yes, you read it right THE PROMS) with John Wilson and the most incredible all in one Orchestra and Big Band, complete with choir and the biggest percussion section I have ever played with ..... paying a proms-ical tribute to the legendary Hollywood Musical heritage. And it's called, strangely enough, "Hooray For Hollywood."

It took place on Monday, at the Royal Albert Hall no less - one of the most terrifying, yet satisfying moments of my career. And it's coming to your telly on Saturday night in glorious technicolour and 5.1 stereo surround sound for your viewing pleasure. Should you so desire."

9.15-11.15 pm on BBC2 is the place to be.

And if you can be there, or can't record it, or don't own a TV - you can always "listen again" to the Radio 3 Broadcast here. Part One  and Part Two..

Will be back in touch soon with a full summer update for your reading pleasure, in the meantime, enjoy the proms - and remember, life's to short to not eat donuts or chocolate cake."