The Glenn Miller Orchestra, led by Ray McVay, will be getting ‘In The Mood’ as they are due to appear at the Pavilion Theatre, Worthing on Sunday 19th August. The Swing Time Jivers and the Polka Dot Dolls will also be featured.
Back in the late ‘30s–early ‘40s, Glenn Miller and his Orchestra packed the dance halls in the States. The band enjoyed a string of hits like “In the Mood” and “Tuxedo Junction” as well as “Moonlight Serenade”, “Chattanooga Choo Choo”, “American Patrol” and many other songs and melodies that have stood the test of time.
The current UK band was put together in 1988 by legendary musical entertainer Ray McVay in conjunction with Glenn Miller Productions in New York. McVay, previously best known as the musical director for the original Come Dancing series on BBC, approached the offices of the Glenn Miller estate 30 years ago seeking an arrangement to operate a Glenn Miller Orchestra in the UK.
Since then, as it celebrates its 30th year, this great orchestra has built itself into something of an institution as it tours the top provincial venues in the country as well as satisfying a demand for Miller’s music in Europe, Asia, and South America.
The Orchestra maintains the exact line up on stage devised by Glenn, consisting of the leader, five saxophones, four trumpets, four trombones and three rhythm plus a male and female vocalist. The show features the sublime voices of Mark Porter and Catherine Sykes as well as the glorious harmonies of the Moonlight Serenaders.
The band’s library comprises of more than 200 scores, many of them from the original library, which includes terrific arrangements from both the civilian and Army Air Force orchestras. Songs made famous by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Louis Armstrong are all featured in a show which also pays tribute to other big band leaders of the era like Artie Shaw and Benny Goodman.
Also on the bill are the Swing Time Jivers, a newly formed Authentic Jazz Dance Company specializing in dance styles from the 1920s – 1960’s which includes Charleston, swing, lindy hop, and tap dance to name a few. Joining them are The Polka Dot Dolls, a vocal harmony trio who capture the romance and glamour of a bygone era and offer a wonderful tribute to the Andrews Sisters. The trio entertains audiences with their slick vocal arrangements and nostalgic styling. The Dolls are also lovers of Lindy Hop and like nothing more than getting their crowds’ jumpin’ and jivin’.
The Glenn Miller Orchestra will be appearing at the Pavillion, Worthing on Sunday 19th August 2018. For more information on tickets, please see the Worthing Theatres website.