Reviews
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- Swan Theatre, Worcester - July 2010
- Richmond Theatre - June 2010
- Usher Hall, Edinburgh - December 2009
- Pavilion, Worthing - 3rd August 2008
- Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham - 29th June 2007
- Usher Hall, Edinburgh - 28th December 2006
- Chelmsford Civic Theatre - 27th February 2005
- Barbican Hall, London. 4th January 2005 - London Evening Standard
- Plymouth Pavilions - 11th March 2004
- The Playhouse Theatre, Edinburgh
- Theatre Royal, Windsor - 7th May 2000
Theatre Royal, Windsor - 7th May 2000
Another full house for the Glenn Miller Band was no surprise, bearing as it does the biggest name in the big band business. To a backdrop of stars and stripes the band played Miller music and with a superb sax section to boot. Their programme wasn't limited to Miller music only, the bands of Dorsey (T), James, Shaw and Herman were musically acknowledged.
Glenn's arrangement of "Begin The Beguine" featured Jeff Mason on clarinet to warm applause. Leading the reeds was Peter Hughes and his clarinet added polish to a strong section which produced the Miller sound to perfection. The brass was unamplified ensuring that they never overblew the beautiful reeds.
"Running Wild" was the band's brisk opener, followed by an early introduction to vocalist Jan Messeder with "I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me" - taken with great style. Now here was a great example of why (in my view) every band should have a girl singer, if only to counterbalance the otherwise all-male aggregation. This girl has looks, personality, glamour, voice - and body language as a bonus! and she suits the band very well indeed!! Fellow vocalist, Colin Anthony, was an excellent partner and shone in "I've Got You Under My Skin."
Glenn's arrangement of "American Patrol" had the trumpet section playing the bugle parts, from the Royal Box! In "Tuxedo Junction" the trombones too took to the auditorium via the passageways of this old theatre. The selection of Glenn's film numbers brought Colin Anthony and Jan Messeder together for "At Last", "Serenade In Blue", etc. with excellent accompaniment from the band. Of all the vocal numbers the best for me was "I'll Be Seeing You" by Jan, but the Moonlight Serenaders were not to be outdone and their harmony was excellent in "Chattanooga Choo Choo" etc.
The Uptown Hall Gang were a popular small group, enabling the sidemen to sparkle. Among many excellent soloists tonight were Bobby Orr, drums; Peter Hughes, clarinet; Johnny Evans, tenor; Alan Berlyn, trumpet; Ray Wordsworth and Ted Barker, trombones. Ray McVay's presentation was very informative and included a quiz based on the film "The Glenn Miller Story" which involved the audience who at the close gave him and the orchestra a well-deserved standing ovation.
Playing time: 2 hours 30 minutes - - - -
Roy Belcher (Review reproduced with permission from Big Bands International).
