The mere mention of the name of Glenn Miller causes a storm of positive emotions among fans of his work. Films were filmed about this outstanding man, television programs were broadcast, books were written. However, there are a number of interesting facts that are rarely mentioned. This article will be devoted to them.
Popularity in the Soviet Union and Russia
According to ratings of American and European magazines, music lovers most often call Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie and others the most prominent jazz musicians. Glenn Miller, as a rule, is not in these lists.
And even if we are talking not about jazz in general, but about swing - the direction in which the hero of this article became famous - then Benny Goodman or Artie Shaw usually prevail here. In our country, things are different. In the Soviet Union, the Glenn Miller Orchestra was the most beloved foreign jazz band.
Cinema
What is the reason for such a high popularity of this big band in Russia? This circumstance is explained by the fact that the music of Glenn Miller sounded in the Hollywood film "Serenade of the Sun Valley". This tape was shown in the USSR after World War II in the process of cultural exchange between allied countries.
The appearance on the screen of jazz musicians performing incendiary rhythmic compositions together with romantic ballads caused delight among millions of citizens of our country. The film was resumed several times, until the beginning of the sixties.
It is said that in the Soviet Union, experienced people could predict the state’s future cultural policy based on the music of Glenn Miller. If excerpts from the Serenade of the Solar Valley were shown in the New Year's program, this meant that everything would be fine. If not, then many bans should have been expected.
Subculture
The famous dude movement was also inspired by the music of Glenn Miller, sounded during movie screenings, and then from home-made gramophone records, which were sold "from under the floor." In times of stagnation, the film "Serenade of the Sun Valley", like all Western culture, again was not held in high esteem by the government. Therefore, for some period of time, Soviet people stopped contemplating it, as, however, did they hear the music of the Glenn Miller orchestra.
In the era of perestroika, the tape was repeatedly shown on television on New Year's holidays. Therefore, many people in our country associate this film with the winter season.
Music in the Glenn Miller Family
World fame came to the musician quite late, when he was already well over thirty. Therefore, we can say that his musical journey was a long one. Acquaintance with music occurred in early childhood in the house of parents who loved art.
In the house, which was rented by the parents of the future musician, there was a small organ on which his mother played short plays of her own composition. All the children gathered around the instrument and enthusiastically listened, as if spellbound. When the children went to school, they had to go to classes in the nearest city, since the family then lived in the countryside. During various family trips, mother usually began to sing a comic song about studying, and the children picked it up.
Glenn Miller loved music. Unlike his name. At birth he was called Alton, but the boy could not stand it when he was called that. Therefore, he preferred to introduce himself by his middle name, which became known throughout the world.
From an early age, the guy played the mandolin. He also mastered the cornet (the so-called trumpet in military bands). The last instrument at that time was very common, especially in the southern states, where at the beginning of the century there were many military units, each of which had its own musical collective.
Over time, the number of orchestras decreased, and brass instruments were inherited by the children and grandchildren of military musicians. So it was in New Orleans, where jazz was born and where the most famous trumpeter of all time - Louis Armstrong - played a military cornet in his youth. In a similar way, the trumpet fell into the hands of little Glenn Miller, now the world-famous musician who played the trombone. To get it was the cherished dream of the future jazzman. It was possible to carry it out at the age of twelve. To buy an instrument, the young musician had to work on a farm for a long time, milk cows.
Another passion
Few people know that the founder and first leader of the legendary orchestra Glenn Miller in school was seriously involved in football. He played in the team that became the state champion. Then Glenn Miller was named the best left forward in the tournament.
And again the music
But for the graduation class, his passion for music pushed out other interests from the life of a young man. He created his first orchestra with several friends. Constant rehearsals affected Glenn's performance. Having entered the university, he did not study there even for one year - he was expelled after failing three out of five exams.
But the young man did not regret it. By that time, he had already chosen the path of a musician.
Musical education
While studying at the university, he also attended Joseph Schillinger's music-making courses. This outstanding teacher developed a system thanks to which it was possible to teach a person how to create musical works. The uniqueness of this technique was that Schillinger did not concentrate on any particular genre, but provided universal knowledge on the subjects needed by future composers.
At different times, his students were Bernstein, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw and some other figures who glorified American culture. By the way, this teacher was a Soviet immigrant. Before moving to the United States, he taught composition at the Kharkov Conservatory. He also wrote music for one of the world's first synthesizers - theremin. In parallel with the invention of this device, he studied at the conservatory.
Artist career
Glenn Miller soon gained fame as an upscale trombonist. One after the other, proposals came from popular orchestras: they invited the musician to join them. In the twenties, he took part in concerts and studio recordings by the bands of Benny Goodman and the Dorsey brothers.
The melody of Glenn Miller, written together with Benny Goodman, then received the first feedback from the audience, after which it began to gain momentum in popularity.
The beginnings of your own style
In 1930, the Glenn Miller Orchestra accompanied the famous English singer. It was then that the famous formula of corporate sounding appeared. The clarinet became the solo instrument in the big band. Saxophones played accompaniment to him.
Era of swing
This name was received in musical circles from the mid-thirties of the XX century to the end of the forties. Then came the direction of jazz, intended not only for listening, but also used as dance music. This phenomenon was born as a reaction to the Great Depression - the strongest financial crisis in the history of the United States of America.
To forget about unemployment, the prohibition, the revelry of the mafia and other negative aspects of life, people needed good entertainment. Jazz music came to the aid of the people. Now it has become more rhythmic than it was before. In the cities of America, huge dance halls opened one after another. The names of some of them (for example, “Savoy”) have reached the present time thanks to the headings of jazz compositions.
These establishments were a place where freedom triumphed. There you often could see a black girl dancing with a white guy. Each of these clubs had its own orchestra. Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Gene Krupa and many others have become famous thanks to performances in such places.
Radio played a big role in popularizing swing. Benny Goodman was the first leader of the orchestra, whose team regularly (every week) gave a full-fledged live concert. This way of transmitting music was not only new, but also democratic. In order to listen to the compositions of your favorite band, now you did not need to buy records - the cheapest radio was enough. Therefore, jazz became one of the most popular trends of its time and quickly expanded the boundaries of its audience.
Music films
The music of the Glenn Miller Orchestra also found its way to the audience. This team, as already mentioned in the article, starred in musical films. The first of these was Radio 1936. It already contained a prerequisite for a future masterpiece - “Serenade of the Sun Valley”, as the singer Dorothy Dendridge and the Nicholas Brothers dancers starred in the tape.
In addition, the films “Orchestra Wives” and “Blind Date” were shot.
Criticism
The instrumental compositions and songs of Glenn Miller were so popular, many beautiful words were said and written about them by musicians of different generations. Louis Armstrong admitted that he loves these compositions. Frank Sinatra said his early recordings were nonsense compared to the brilliant music played by Glenn Miller and his orchestra. By the way, the members of the collective of the great trombonist often played on Sinatra's records. Such a demand for these artists once again confirms the high class of their skill.
Russian rock musician Boris Grebenshchikov admits:
For me, the music of Glenn Miller - not today and not yesterday - it is beyond all time, like fire in the hearth. And also heats.
But not only positive reviews can be found about this music. So, another famous clarinet player and leader of his own orchestra - Artie Shaw talked about the work of his colleague: "It was his music that was supposed to die, and not him.
As a rule, instrumental compositions and songs by Glenn Miller are criticized for being overly commercial. Many also believe that swing should not be called jazz at all. Be that as it may, adherents of both opinions accept the fact that Glenn Miller (see photo in the article) had a powerful influence on the development of contemporary music.
Musician Rules
The young trombonist of the article combined two qualities that may seem mutually exclusive to many: he was a great musician and a talented manager. He demanded that each member of his team have an impeccable appearance in performances, synchronized movements (the famous wave of pipes in different directions). At the same time, the sound of the orchestra has always remained perfectly clear.
True patriot
The paradox of this personality lies in the fact that, along with a love of commercial success and a desire for popularity, genuine patriotism was present in this person. During the Second World War, in order to support his fellow citizens who went to the front, he became the leader of a military band, having disbanded his big band at the peak of its popularity. Having received permission from the Secretary of Defense for such activities, Miller first leads a small (15 musicians) dance orchestra.
Then he is trusted by more serious groups, and finally, a large military orchestra of aviation, for which Glenn Miller writes marches in jazz style.
Reformer of military music
Miller’s marches were different from the classic examples of this genre. The composer brought elements of black music into them. For example, as a theme for one of them, he used the blues tune Basin street blues.
Such an innovation had many opponents. However, there were many supporters of military music to sound in a jazz style. Victory was on the side of the latter. The new Glenn Miller Orchestra gained wide popularity not only in its homeland, but also in other countries.
Misty Albion
A military band led by Major Glenn Miller was invited to England. These tours were triumphant in the full sense of the word. The team performed in front of the audience every evening for several weeks.
Omen
The next country on this tour was France. The orchestra was supposed to fly to Paris on the eve of the coming 1945. A few hours after the musician left the building where he lived in England, the house was completely destroyed by bombing.
Tragedy
Glenn Miller flew to the capital of France, independently piloting the plane. There was cloudy weather. Suddenly, the connection with the aircraft was lost. Nowhere near the intended route did the musician’s plane land. No traces of the crash were found either on land or in the ocean.
Therefore, there are numerous legends that the great jazzman did not die, and tired of the burden of glory, he decided to hide from excessive public attention. Some fans are sure that their idol has lived to a very old age under a false name. However, similar versions of events arose after the death of many untimely departing stars.
Glenn Miller was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Order for his dedicated service to his homeland. As for the music awards, because of their huge number, a complete list cannot be given. It is worth voicing at least the fact that three compositions performed by the Glenn Miller Orchestra are included in the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Personal life
Glenn Miller met his future wife while studying at the university. He was fascinated by a charming girl and soon proposed to her. The only obstacle to marriage was the financial issue - the young musician did not have enough money. Glenn's old friend Benny Goodman came to the rescue here. He gave the necessary amount in debt.
Glenn Miller has two children left. One of them - Steve Miller - continues the work of his father. And in this case, the saying that nature rests on the children of geniuses has not been confirmed. Steve leads his own blues-rock band, in which Paul McCartney himself played the bass.
The memory of the composer
Glenn Miller's albums, recorded with his orchestra and with other musicians, were repeatedly reprinted after his death.
In total, more than thirty discs are known in the recordings of which he took part. Countless collections with titles like "Glenn Miller: The Best" have been published. The cover of one of them is presented below.
In the first half of the fifties in Hollywood, the film "The Story of Glenn Miller" was released.
The tape received an Academy Award from the Academy Award. Glenn Miller's notes first appeared before his studio recordings. This happened in the late twenties. Then the world saw a printed collection of 125 solos for clarinet.
Favorite ringtones
As already mentioned, this orchestra was recognized by the domestic audience thanks to the film “Serenade of the Sun Valley”. Glenn Miller’s works: “Moonlight”, “Train to Chattanooga”, “Polish kisses” and others sounded in it. The first of these compositions was written while the musician was studying with the famous professor Joseph Schillinger.
An interesting situation turned out with another piece from the repertoire of the orchestra. We are talking about "In the mood" by Glenn Miller. In fact, it was written by Joe Garland. But many music lovers mistakenly consider her the author of Miller.
First records
Few know that two swing titans - Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman - played in the same orchestra at the beginning of their musical career.
The trumpeter of that collective had a phonograph. This sound recorder was the forerunner of record players. Music was recorded on a cylindrical metal blank.
And so, thanks to such an apparatus, the sound of Glenn Miller's trombone and Benny Goodman's clarinet were captured. Subsequently, these records were released on the disc.
Glenn Island Casino became the venue for regular performances by the newly formed Glenn Miller Orchestra in the 1930s. For the first time when they heard the signature sound (solo clarinet accompanied by saxophones), the audience literally went crazy.
It was during one of the concerts in "Glenn Island" that the song "In the mood" was recorded. For Glenn Miller, this work has become a landmark. After the release of the record, he became a real superstar.
Modern orchestras
After World War II, the Glenn Miller Orchestra revived. They began to be led by Tex Benek, who played the saxophone in the original collective before the war and sang. In 1950, this composition disintegrated. However, interest in Glenn Miller's music remained high. This was facilitated by the recordings of other orchestras imitating the famous big band. And also the lion's share of popularity brought the mentioned film about Glenn Miller with James Stuart in the title role.
The right to use the name of the orchestra passed to another group in 1956. This big band was led by Ray McKinley. This musician in the early forties played drums in the Air Force Orchestra, led by Glenn Miller. This team exists at the present time. Also, several groups have a license to use the name of the great musician: the Glenn Miller orchestras of Great Britain and Europe (France), as well as some other ensembles.