The Glenn Miller Orchestra @ the Glasshouse - Jan. 18

© Sylvia

Mark Porter (vocals, M.D.); Dave Ford, John Hinch, Alan Berlyn*, Danny Hammerton* (trumpets); Dale Gibson Jr., Ray Wordsworth*, Keith Hutton (trombones); Bob Maslin (bass trombone); Andy Potts, Simon Meredith (alto sax); Martin Dunsdon, Daniel Faulkner (tenor sax); Loren Hignell (baritone sax); Bunny Thompson (piano); Paul Scott (bass); Bob Cleall (drums);  Catherine Sykes (vocals) + John James (guest vocalist)

*Berlyn, Wordsworth and Hammerton joined Porter and Sykes to form the Moonlight Serenaders.

The legend lives on. Eighty plus years since Glenn Miller's mysterious disappearance the memory of the man and his music can still come close to filling major concert halls across the land. This afternoon at Gateshead's the Glasshouse, only the very top floor of the main auditorium wasn't occupied.

© Sylvia

The audience, mainly of a certain age, knew what to expect and that's what they got. However, not only was Glenn himself missing but it also seemed that longtime MD Ray McVay was also missing with vocalist Mark Porter waving the baton, as the band hit the deck running with Strike up the Band. Truly a powerhouse trumpet section.

Little Brown Jug brought to mind June Allyson, Miller's wife in the movie. It was her favourite song. Surely that was grounds for a divorce? Nevertheless, the Bill Finegan arrangement is a good one.

Porter sang A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square. He sang it well. Miller employed cornet player Bobby Hackett as a guitarist but let him blow cornet on String of Pearls resulting in probably the finest solo ever played on a Miller recording. Today, rather than attempt to surpass the unsurpassable Hackett's original solo was scored in harmony for the trumpet section. 

© Sylvia

Catherine Sykes looked good and sounded good on Yes my Darling Daughter and guest vocalist John James impressed on Almost Like Being in Love. More swingers with Opus One, Tuxedo Junction, Sing, Sing, Sing, St Louis Blues March and American Patrol as well as I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo by the Moonlight Serenaders (vocal group from within the band).

To describe the Uptown Hall Gang as a trad band was a bit of a misnomer as, in actual fact, the UHG were probably more modern than the actual orchestra! Nevertheless, they belted out When the Saints go Marching in and nobody complained. Catherine paid tribute to Judy G with Over the Rainbow and the Trolley Song and we were called to the bar with the back chorus of, I think, American Patrol.

The second set began on a rather poignant note. A very frail Ray McVay was helped on stage to introduce Moonlight Serenade. I felt very sad.

John James returned to sing Mr Bojangles, to duet with Ms. Sykes on a wowser of a Lady is a Tramp before singing Me and my Shadow with Porter who stayed at the mic for My Way and New York, New York.

Chattanooga Choo Choo, You Made me Love You (à la Harry James), The Dambusters March, In the Mood and Adios sent me home with mixed emotions. Thank you Glenn and thank you Ray for keeping the faith. Lance