Gateshead Welcomes Glenn Miller

(Preview by Russell)

The spirit of Glenn Miller is set to reverberate around Sage One (Sage Gateshead’s 1700 seats concert hall) during the forthcoming festive period. On Tuesday 29 December Ray McVay will lead Britain’s leading Miller outfit in a matinee concert performance which will feature many of the classic numbers associated with the legendary AAF Band. Post-Christmas and pre-New Year, Tynesiders will be champing at the bit in danger of going stir crazy. Tickets are going fast, so, to be sure of your seat, call the ticket office on 0191 443 4661.

Ray McVay goes back to the days of rock ‘n’ roll. He worked with Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, Brian ‘The Shadows’ Bennett, Clive Powell (aka Georgie Fame) and countless others. Theatre and television work, a long association with the Mecca organisation, Ray McVay is your genuine ‘been there, done that’ character. A life-long fan of Glenn Miller, McVay approached Glenn Miller Productions Inc in America seeking their agreement to permit the establishment of a British band to play the Miller charts. McVay won approval and set about taking Miller’s music on the road.

The classic line-up of five saxophones, four trumpets, four trombones, piano, bass, drums and two vocalists have filled concert halls time and again, year after year. The band’s two principal singers – Colin Anthony and Catherine Sykes – are joined on stage by the vocal harmony troupe the Moonlight Serenaders. Add the Jiving Lindy Hoppers to the mix and you have a fast-paced show packed with familiar tunes. The orchestra’s collective talents are too numerous to mention save for a few: Colin Anthony (BBC Big Band), Catherine Sykes (Leeds College of Music, Dave Newton), Dave Ford, lead trumpet (Portishead – a modern combo!), Simon Meredith, alto and clarinet (MYJO and NYJO), Loren Hignett, baritone and alto saxophones (BBC Big Band), Ray Wordsworth, tenor (Humph and Alex Welsh, Frank Sinatra and Mel Torme – a tidy cv), Bunny Thompson, piano (Art Farmer, Sonny Stitt, Sammy Davis Jnr – not too shabby).

So, Miller’s music has stood the test of time and withstood brickbats from some. What’s not in doubt is the ability within the ranks of Ray McVay’s Glenn Miller Orchestra. For a guaranteed great afternoon make sure you’re at Sage Gateshead on Tuesday 29 December for a three o’clock start. Telephone the ticket office now – 0191 443 4661.        

Russell.