The Glenn Miller Orchestra
South Africa
Suggested Leads:
- International Recognition for Jonny Cooper Orchestra.
- Jonny Cooper Orchestra Appointed ‘Glenn Miller Orchestra SA’.
- A Legend Lives On
- The Miller Sound Lives Forever
- Playing For The Next Generation
- The Glenn Miller Story Continues…
- The Glenn Miller Orchestra performs at ….
On December 15th, 1944 Glenn Miller (then a Major in the armed forces) boarded a small Norseman aircraft en-route from England to France in preparation of forthcoming Christmas concerts and broadcasts. He was never to be seen again officially reported Missing In Action Christmas eve 1944. The news of this tragic event was announced over the airwaves in disbelief to stunned listeners throughout the world.
The world famous Glenn Miller Orchestra shot to fame in 1938, with it’s unique ‘Miller Sound” becoming synonymous with the Swing era. During the next three years, prior to enlisting, Glenn Miller and his orchestra made one hit record after another. These included In The Mood, Chattanooga Choo Choo, Little Brown Jug, Moonlight Serenade and Tuxedo Junction to name but a few. They recorded 70 Top Ten hits between 1939 and 1942, a phenomenal achievement in popular music. A matchless string of hits, the constant impact of radio broadcasts and the drawing power at theatres, hotels and dance pavilions built and sustained the momentum of popularity. No musical group has captured the public’s attention as much as Glenn Miller’s orchestra until the Beatles came along in 1962.
The band’s popularity persuaded 20th Century-Fox to produce two movies centering on Miller and his orchestra, Sun Valley Serenade and Orchestra Wives. In 1954, Hollywood paid tribute to Miller’s life with a huge box office success The Glenn Miller Story starring James Stewart in the role as Glenn Miller.
Glenn disbanded his musical organization in 1942, at the height of its popularity, volunteered for the Army and then organized and led the famous Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band. It went to Europe to entertain servicemen, and then, on December 15, 1944, Major Miller took off in a single-engine aircraft from England to precede his band to France, never to be seen again. The mystery of his disappearance has never been conclusively solved. It is believed that a squadron of bombers returning from an aborted raid over Germany, jettisoned their cargo over the English Channel prior to landing and that Glenn’s aircraft was caught below. No wreckage has ever been found.
Now, 100 years after his birth and some 60 years after that fateful day in 1944, Glenn Miller Productions Inc. USA have appointed the Jonny Cooper Orchestra as the official Glenn Miller Orchestra SA.
Recognized Internationally as one of the finest copyists of the Glenn Miller sound, the Jonny Cooper Orchestra have become a household name here in South Africa as they perform to packed houses throughout the country. Consisting of 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, 5 saxes, piano, double bass, drums and vocals, the orchestra replicates the 1938 civilian orchestra of Glenn Miller. The visual appeal of the Big Band is pushed to the hilt with waving trombones and shining trumpets moving in well drilled unison to drive home the riffs of all your Miller favorites.
Formed in 1993 the Jonny Cooper Orchestra has performed at just about every major event and venue throughout South Africa. In 1999 they were signed to Prestige-Elite records in London, joining a rostra of International Stars. The Jonny Cooper Orchestra have recorded four CD’s, ‘At Last’, ‘Legends Of Swing’, ‘Just Like That’ and ‘A Portrait Of Glenn Miller’.
With the resurgence in the popularity of Big Band Swing, the Jonny Cooper Orchestra have introduced this genre of music to a whole new generation of listeners here in South Africa. In 2003, the orchestra was featured on MNET’s Pop Idols, performing in a Swing Special for the seven ‘Pop Idols’ finalists.
This unprecedented success of the Jonny Cooper Orchestra over the past five years, has put them in the International spotlight which ultimately led to the prestigious appointment as the official Glenn Miller Orchestra SA.
Jonny states “We have been fortunate to receive a lot of International media attention over the past few years. This prestigious appointment puts this orchestra amongst the top Big Bands in the world. We are very proud both as musicians and as a South African organization to have received this recognition ”.
The Glenn Miller Orchestra
South Africa
Jonny Cooper – Quotes
About the appointment as the Glenn Miller Orchestra SA
This is a huge honor for all of us, both as musicians and as a South African organization. I follow in the footsteps of some very fine leaders from the United States of America (drummer Ray McKinley, clarinetist Buddy DeFranco and Peanuts Hucko, saxophonist Dick Gerhart, trombonists Buddy Morrow, Jimmy Henderson and the present leader Larry O’Brien. I hope to uphold the excellence of the Miller tradition.
About The Miller Style and Sound
In my view, if you’re going to do Miller, then you had better do it right. This was the music of an era and had a unique style and sound. I have heard so called ‘modern’ versions of Miller music but can’t see the point. It’s like trying to make coffee taste like tea – Why?. The Miller sound and style is tough to replicate, but get it right and you understand how this band made it to the top.
About the Miller Mystique
I am aware of many theories as to what happened to Glenn Miller on that fateful night in 1944. The fact is, the truth will never be discovered. Fans must believe what they want to believe. Some stories however are ridiculous in my opinion. I tend to agree with the theory that the RAF accidentally bombed Miller’s plane as they jettisoned their payload in the English Channel after an aborted raid over Germany. It was an unfortunate accident of war that Miller’s plane was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
About The Repertoire
We play all the Miller favorites along with a few less played Miller recordings. With access to the original Miller library in the USA through Glenn Miller Productions, our arrangements are exactly as Miller himself would have played them. On some concerts, we also add tributes to some of the other Band Leaders and vocalists of the era including Tommy Dorsey, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald to name but a few. There is no doubt however, that the Miller Magic always wins the day.
About the Resurgence in the popularity of Big Band Swing
This has introduced a whole new generation of listeners to this style of music thanks to the likes of Robbie Williams, Michael Buble, Rod Stewart and Westlife. Last year, we were part of Pop Idols, playing for the seven finalists. The kids has a great time proving that this genre of music really has got staying power.
About the Sponsors
It’s simple. Without First National Bank there would be no Glenn Miller Orchestra here in South Africa. They give a great deal of support. Thank you to FNB.
The Glenn Miller Orchestra
Historic Highlights
- Glenn Miller was born on March 1, 1904, in Clarinda, Iow
- Glenn Miller originally wrote the music for ‘Moonlight Serenade’ (later to become his theme song) as an exercise when he was studying with noted arranger, Joseph Schilinger.
- The first Glenn Miller Orchestra, formed in 1937, was a financial failure
- In March 1938, Glenn Miller launched a second band, and unlike the first band, it became an enormous success with multiple hit records and huge box office sales.
- In 1941, Glenn Miller and his Orchestra has more hit records in one year, than anybody in the history of the recording industry
- Although other songs had sold over a million record copies, in 1941 Glenn Miller’s ‘Chattanooga Choo Choo’ received the first Gold Record ever to be awarded.
- Hollywood made two movies featuring the Glenn Miller Orchestra, ‘Orchestra Wives’ and ‘Sun Valley Serenade’
- At the height of the orchestra’s popularity, Glenn Miller disbanded his musical organization in 1942 to volunteer for the army. He then organized the famous Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band.
- On December 15, 1944, Glenn Miller took off in a single engine plane from England – against his better judgment – to precede his band to France, never to be seen again. The army officially declared him dead one year later.
- In 1954, Hollywood made a movie ‘The Glenn Miller Story’ starring James Stewart in the role of Glenn Miller. It was a huge box office success.
- Due to popular demand, the Miller Estate authorized the formation of the present Glenn Miller Orchestra in 1956
- The Glenn Miller Orchestra has been “on the road” longer and more continuously than any other Big Band ever.
- The Jonny Cooper Orchestra was appointed as the official Glenn Miller Orchestra SA in 2004 by Glenn Miller Productions Inc. who represent the Miller estate
The Glenn Miller Orchestra
South Africa
Musical Director / Band Leader
Jonny Cooper.
At the age of 14, Cooper was introduced to the Big Band sound of the Glenn Miller Orchestra superbly reproduced by the Syd Lawrence Orchestra, at a concert in England. Since then it has been Big Band all the way and few musicians have had better training then Cooper.
Picking up his first trumpet at the age of six, he earned a music scholarship as a chorister to the music schools of Eton College (Eton College Choir School) where he trained under the lead trumpet player of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Later at Shiplake College, Henley Upon Thames, he was permitted to travel to London at weekends to play with the Ray McVay Orchestra, Britains No.1 ballroom band, at London’s prestigious Hammersmith Palais. This was the start of his Big Band career.
Although Jonny led several small bands in the UK, his dream of having his own Big Band was realised when he came to South Africa in 1992. Started for fun and as an opportunity to meet fellow Big Band enthusiasts, the Jonny Cooper Orchestra has grown to become a major force in South African music and respected worldwide.
The nephew of Britain’s top comedian, the late Tommy Cooper, Jonny understands the art of showmanship. Forming his first jazz band whilst at school, Jonny has always insisted on presentation and demands this from his musicians. Following a self imposed philosophy of discipline and attention to detail, Jonny states “If the boys are having a good time, then they relax, and the band swings. It’s all about discipline, professionalism, but above all passion. A Big Band isn’t just about putting 18 musicians on stage and playing the dots. Anyone can do that!. It’s all about experience, professionalism and leadership. Many Big Bands today play loud, fast and so-called ‘technical arrangements’ but in many ways this is simply a smoke screen. The ability to play soft, melodic phrases, in tune and as part of a section is probably the hardest skill a musician can accomplish. Every member of the Glenn Miller Orchestra SA is a master of his own instrument”.
A band has to have a personality and that is set by the bandleader. The Glenn Miller Orchestra SA has a unique personality, enjoyed by audiences throughout South Africa - Jonny Cooper.
“ The hardest thing in the world is to start an orchestra
And the next hardest, to stop it “
Hans Richte
The Glenn Miller Orchestra
South Africa
Vocalists
Cliff Benton
Many of the world’s greatest singers started their careers with the Big Bands. A good singer is of vital importance to the success of an orchestra. Cliff is a vocalist of great talent, meticulous in presenting a song carefully creating the right melodic nuances to really put the song across. Cliff has been singing professionally since the early 1970’s and has performed with many of South Africa’s finest. He has built an impeccable reputation as a studio musician and has worked on many occasions with the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra. He is a devotee of the 40’s swing era but is equally at home with more contemporary sounds.
Beverley Scott-Brown
In the golden days of the Big Bands, the legendary band leaders always insisted that a special feature of their presentation was a pretty girl vocalist, typically Marion Hutton with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Beverley has that natural talent, expert balance of tone and perfection in relating to the arrangement. Bev Scott-Brown was born in Johannesburg and completed her Bachelor of Music Degree (Jazz and Contemporary Pop) at Wits University in 1992, graduating as the top performer of the year. In 1993 she moved to Cape Town and began her professional career in the Grill Room, the Mount Nelson Hotel’s flagship dinner-dance venue. Developing her career further, Bev performed with various popular ‘cover’ bands in Cape Town such as ‘The Firm, Midnight Express and Late Final’. A chance meeting with Jonny Cooper in a recording studio started her Big Band career in 2000.
The Glenn Miller Orchestra
South Africa
Program
Expect some Glenn Miller classics:
Little Brown Jug In The Mood
Moonlight Serenade Don’t Sit Under The Appletree
Serenade In Blue Frenesi
A String Of Pearls Chattanooga Choo Choo
Pennsylvania 6-5000 I Know Why
At Last Tuxedo Junction
American Patrol Perfidia
Adios St. Louis Blues March
Danny Boy Elmer’s Tune
Bugle Call Rag I’ve Got A Girl In Kalamazoo
Juke Box Saturday Night Song Of A Volga Boatman
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy Moonlight Sonata
----and more besides!
Tributes to other great band leaders and vocalists of the era including…
Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Dean Martin, Sammy Davies Jnr., The Benny Goodman Orchestra, The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, The Count Basie Orchestra, Harry James Orchestra. Plus! Many of the songs re-released by contemporary artistes such as Robbie Williams, Michael Buble and Rod Stewart….
Mack The Knife Hello Dolly I Get A Kick Out Of You
Fly Me To The Moon Opus One Strangers In The Night
New York New York What A Wonderful World Straighten Up & Fly Right
Sway Volare Things
Something Stupid Well Did You Evah That’s Life
It Had To Be You That Old Black Magic Mr. Bojangles
Witchcraft I’ve Got You Under My Skin Sweet Georgia Brown
Have You Met Miss Jones A’int That A Kick In The Head Unforgettable
My Funny Valentine They Can’t Take That Away From Me Satin Doll
The Lady Is A Tramp One For My Baby Take The A Train
Girl Talk You Made Me Love You Rock n Roll Medley
It’s Been A Long Long Time Sing Sing Sing Marilyn Monro Medley
Harlem Nocturne I’m Getting Sentimental Over You L’ll Darlin
My Way Route 66 For Once In My Life
The Kid From Red Bank Jumpin At The Woodside My Kinda Town Chicago
Harlem Nocturne Come Fly With Me And I Love Her |
