In The Mood

It was a time of Swing when the big bands ruled...

Women wore knee-length dresses and padded shoulders, hair was curled, legs were tea-stained, hats were wild; men took their ‘honeys’ out wearing zoot suits and wingtip shoes.

And on the radio and in the dance halls, the sounds of Harry James, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw and Tommy Dorsey helped people, just for an evening, forget the war.

There was however one man, and one sound, that then and today epitomises the ‘glamour’ of this era... Glenn Miller.

Miller was an American jazz musician, arranger, composer and bandleader whose signature tunes included In The Mood, American Patrol, Chattanooga Choo Choo, Tuxedo Junction, Moonlight Serenade and Little Brown Jug.

Of the distinctive Miller sound, he once said: “The fifth sax, playing clarinet most of the time, lets you know whose band you’re listening to. And that’s about it.”

Which, if you’re not a musician means little, but if you are a fan of silky smooth notes and melodies means everything.

Music lovers everywhere then should be delighted that the Oxford Playhouse is hosting a Glenn Miller night this Saturday, called – appropriately enough – Back to the 40’s, featuring the modern-day Glenn Miller Orchestra, with its musical director Ray McVay.

I caught up with Ray between rehearsals to ask him just why the Glenn Miller Band was the Take That of its era.

“You know,” he laughs, “I hadn’t thought about it like that, but yes, he was THE man.

“His band was the number one main attraction of the day.

“He could play huge venues, sell them out and then return three months later and do the same thing; something no other band could do.”

Perhaps surprisingly, a typical audience for Ray’s ‘tribute’ band isn’t just made up of those who lived through this period, but younger people too.

“While other bands were playing the traditional sounds of the day, Miller didn’t,” says Ray.

“Glenn, even then, looked after both the older generation and the youngsters with his jive numbers and slow melodies. And I always say there’s no extra charge to get up and have a dance.

“Glenn was one of the first guys to create the rhythm section and produce what is known today as rock and roll.”

Mirroring its audience, Ray’s orchestra is made up of young and older musicians, some of whom have played with the greats, such as Benny Goodman and Henry Mancini.

As to what Miller might have achieved, had his plane not mysteriously disappeared over the English Channel in 1944, Ray has no doubts.

“I knew Miller’s master sergeant of the Army Air Force orchestra, trumpeter Zeke Zarchy very well, and recall we had a conversation about what Glenn had planned to do after the war. Glenn had decided to do a year long Farewell Tour.

“He had also bought himself a small farm in Colorado, where he planned to retire. He called it Tuxedo Junction...”

The Glenn Miller Orchestra is playing at the Oxford Playhouse this Saturday night. Tickets are £12, £16 and £18. For further details call the box office on 01865 305305.