Back in November of last year, there was an announcement that the Glenn Miller Birthplace Society was preparing a 2 CD set of Miller broadcast recordings.
Thank you so much for this wonderful comment. I am quite familiar with you, and we may actually have met at an IAJE or JEN convention. It is comments such as yours that inspire me to write what I write. I of course am delighted that you enjoy our publications. As I've written, Jazz Lines fulfills the dream I had as a boy that much of this music would be published for everyone, and that bandleaders/teachers would be able to introduce it to their students. I just didn't know that I would be one of the people who would help preserve it. Stay in good health.
Jeffrey- once again, a terrific article! Indeed, Tex Beneke was a great tenor saxophonist. I had the honor of playing with him several times here in Texas when he would use local musicians for a pick- up band. I played the other tenor chair and fondly remember losing every tenor “ battle” on In The Mood. On one occasion after a rehearsal with the Modernaires , Tex informed the band leader ( also the lead alto) that on the first tune he wanted the saxs to stand and play ONLY the first 6 notes on the intro to In The Mood. Well, I had rushed off stage to get some reeds so Tex reminded the leader to be sure and tell me the plan. Well… he forgot (??) and of course I kept playing for a couple more bars! The audience just stood there in dismay- I cannot write what Tex screamed at the leader! The leader , btw, was local saxophone legend Harvey Anderson. I retired in 2011 as Music prof and Director of Jazz Studies at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth - Tex Beneke’s hometown. He was born about two blocks from campus. In 2000 or so I was informed from my barber that he was Ernie Caceras’s son!! I questioned him and sure enough, he knew all about his dad’s time with Miller. I was in total shock to say the least. It appears he had fallen on hard times and was in failing health and had taken up barber- ing. The person who succeeded me at TCU was Joe Eckert who was lead alto and leader of the AirMen of Note , of course, the band that Glenn Miller started. Joe retired last year and the new head of jazz studies at TCU , Allen Cordingley , played saxophone with the Glenn Miller band under Larry O’Brian around 2005 or so. GM is alive and swinging here in Cowtown!
I also have a dozen or so charts published on EjazzLines (Walrus).
Thank you so much for this wonderful comment. I am quite familiar with you, and we may actually have met at an IAJE or JEN convention. It is comments such as yours that inspire me to write what I write. I of course am delighted that you enjoy our publications. As I've written, Jazz Lines fulfills the dream I had as a boy that much of this music would be published for everyone, and that bandleaders/teachers would be able to introduce it to their students. I just didn't know that I would be one of the people who would help preserve it. Stay in good health.
Jeffrey- once again, a terrific article! Indeed, Tex Beneke was a great tenor saxophonist. I had the honor of playing with him several times here in Texas when he would use local musicians for a pick- up band. I played the other tenor chair and fondly remember losing every tenor “ battle” on In The Mood. On one occasion after a rehearsal with the Modernaires , Tex informed the band leader ( also the lead alto) that on the first tune he wanted the saxs to stand and play ONLY the first 6 notes on the intro to In The Mood. Well, I had rushed off stage to get some reeds so Tex reminded the leader to be sure and tell me the plan. Well… he forgot (??) and of course I kept playing for a couple more bars! The audience just stood there in dismay- I cannot write what Tex screamed at the leader! The leader , btw, was local saxophone legend Harvey Anderson. I retired in 2011 as Music prof and Director of Jazz Studies at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth - Tex Beneke’s hometown. He was born about two blocks from campus. In 2000 or so I was informed from my barber that he was Ernie Caceras’s son!! I questioned him and sure enough, he knew all about his dad’s time with Miller. I was in total shock to say the least. It appears he had fallen on hard times and was in failing health and had taken up barber- ing. The person who succeeded me at TCU was Joe Eckert who was lead alto and leader of the AirMen of Note , of course, the band that Glenn Miller started. Joe retired last year and the new head of jazz studies at TCU , Allen Cordingley , played saxophone with the Glenn Miller band under Larry O’Brian around 2005 or so. GM is alive and swinging here in Cowtown!
I also have a dozen or so charts published on EjazzLines (Walrus).
Cheers
Curt Wilson
Professor of Music Emeritus
Texas Christian University