Glenn Miller clue costs fan and bidder $35,000

     London - An American fan of bandleader Glenn Miller paid $35,000 Tuesday for a military logbook that holds a clue to Miller's mysterious disappearance aboard an airplane during World War II.  "I've never done anything like this in my life," said William Suitts, 76, a businessman from Boulder, Colo., who bid for the book by telephone to Sotheby's auction house.   Glenn Miller led one of the most popular "swing" bands of the 1930s and '40s.  He was at the height of his fame when an airplane carrying him disappeared over the English Channel on a foggy December day in 1944.  A bomber's flight log suggests Miller's plane was downed by jettisoned bombs.

CANADIAN TOUR by Rocket Norton

     Our three date tour of Vancouver, Mission and Victoria (BC), May 4 - May 6, 1999 was a smashing success.  The orchestra was good last time (May of '97) but was nothing short of sensational this time around.  Larry has the band sounding so good as to inspire cheers and standing ovations from every ecstatic audience.

     In my opinion the GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA is the most professionally operated and managed band on the road today.

COAST COMMUNITY CONCERT ASSOCIATION

RE:  February 9, 1999, Biloxi High School, Biloxi, MS

by Herb Carnathan, President

     Our Auditorium was full (the largest crowd we have had all year).  The Glenn Miller Orchestra directed by Larry O'Brien sounds like the Glenn Miller, as directed by Glenn Miller.  New charts are equally as outstanding as the old ones.

     In short, THE GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA, LARRY O'BRIEN, AND ALL THE SINGERS AND INSTRUMENTALISTS WERE SUPERB.

COMMUNITY TREATED TO TOUCH OF GREATNESS

East Liverpool, OH Review - March 22, 1998

by Artis Calhoun

     "The performance Thursday of the Glenn Miller Orchestra at the Westgate Auditorium, sponsored by the Westgage Culture Club, was truly fantastic.

     Comments heard at the intermission and following the show stressed the pleasure and quality of the ensemble as well as the orchestra itself.

     From "Moonlight Serenade," the orchestra's theme song, to "Chattanooga Choo Choo," which received the first ever Gold Record awarded in 1941, to "St. Louis Blues March" to "American Patrol" and on to the encore, "Cherokee," the Glenn Miller rendition of favorite familiar melodies was SOOOO SMOOOOOTH.

     This was 'real music,' and the students in our schools appeared thoroughly engrossed and expressed their joy and being exposed to the quality sound.

     It brought back memories of school days.  The young girls giggled and screamed when Nick Hilscher sang and the boys perked up when Julia Rich sang.   Larry O'Brien, the director, certainly was an energetic and excellent performer who demonstrated he was no stranger to work.  And, he showed his pride in the performers as he featured their talents and introduced them to the audience.  It seems part of the pleasure in musical programs is the obvious joy of the entertainers in their work.

     Fortunate indeed is East Liverpool to have been included in the Orchestra's schedule this year.  And even more fortunate, those among the sold-out crowd."

GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA ONCE AGAIN A DELIGHT

Midland, MI News - September 21, 1998

by Yvette Birs Crandall

     "A wonderful crowd of people came out to see and hear, many for the first time, the music and style of the legendary Glenn Miller Orchestra on Saturday evening.  A packed house at the Midland Center for the Arts auditorium included an almost even mix of seniors who came to relive their past, baby boomers who may have missed that sound, young children with their parents, and most importantly, a large number of teens and 20 year olds who are now discovering that "swing" is back.

     Conducted by Larry O'Brien, the orchestra met all expectations.   The sound was there.  The style was there.  The mix was there.  It was evident from the start that this was an orchestra of exceptional depth.

     Adding to the evening's entertainment were two very fine singers.   Larry O'Brien and the Glenn Miller Orchestra were truly playing as if Miller was still here today.  The original sound is there.  The hot tempos and intricate free style of the improvisations and solo work.  They blew the house down one minute and were soft as a whisper the next.

     A standing ovation brought one spectacular encore, "Bugle Call Rag."  When it was over all one could do was say "Wow!""

THE GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA directed by LARRY O'BRIEN

Big Bands International No. 85 - November 1998

by Robert J. Robbins, BBI USA Secretary

     "At this concert which attracted a capacity crowd to the Ocean City Music Pier..., the current edition of the Miller aggregation, under the expert leadership of ace trombonist Larry O'Brien, proved that the Miller sound triumphantly survives in the computer age.  As it has during the past forty-odd years, the Miller band presented the finest in young musical talent.  Drummer Greg Parnell kept the band on a firmly swinging course when not soloing on such warhorses as "American Patrol" and "Bugle Call Rag."

     Now in its eleventh consecutive year under O'Brien's direction the Glenn Miller Orchestra remains undiminished in keeping the Miller flame burning brightly."

GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA - LARRY O'BRIEN - Musical Director

Big Bands International No. 83 - May 1998

by Kenneth R. Jensen

     Norris Theater for Performing Arts, Palos Verdes, California

     "That Glenn Miller's music can evoke warm waves of nostalgia, has been an international phenomenon for more than half a century.  And when it is played by brilliant young musicians under the direction of a master leader and player, it reconfirms that Miller's music has no time limitations.  The Glenn Miller Orchestra, conducted by musical director, Larry O'Brien, was in spectacular form on March 5th....   Precision, intonation, phasing, dynamics and perfect tempos have been the hallmarks of the Miller band since its inception.  In addition to those attributes, this 1998 edition of the band really swings!  Led by a flawless rhythm section, the rest of the band jumped aboard and proved that players in their twenties can bring the fire of youth to charts more than five decades old.  The Miller standards expected by the audience were fresh and bright.  O'Brien has the youngsters playing these familiar charts with young, vigorous ideas.  "String Of Pearls," "In The Mood," "Tuxedo Junction," "Serenade In Blue" and "Pennsylvania Six Five Thousand" were welcomed as old friends with fresh luster.  The 1998 edition of the Glenn Miller Orchestra with musical director Larry O'Brien should be included on your "must see" list."

MILLER'S MUSIC MAKES MAGICAL MEMORIES

Times, Cullman AL - September 20, 1998

by Ed Darling

     "If you weren't among the large turnout in Wallace State's marvelous auditorium, you missed a treat.

     Those golden big band sounds, terrific in the 1930's and 40's, are no less impressive today.  Favorites drew quick applause, toe-tapping and finger-snapping accompaniments.

     Musical director Larry O'Brien controlled the evening's flow, directing the ensemble, teasing the audience, tending to tiny on-stage details, playing some truly smooth trombone himself.

     The Glenn Miller Orchestra sounds remain as pure as they obviously were decades ago.  Hearing them in person was a pleasure."

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