The guardian., 1956-08-18
World of Music
BY Hal KenI

GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA - RAY MCKINLEY
It's good news to report that the Glenn Miller
orchestra, under the direction of Ray Mckinley,
will be appearing at the Totem Pole in Auburndale
next Wednesday
It was almost foregone conclusion that Ray
McKinley's talents and Glenn Miller's music should
ultimately get together again. Rays friendship with
and admiration for Glenn goes back almost rs
years!
In the early thirties Ray came to Chicago.
Glenn starting his career as arranger and
trombonist for Ben Polack Ray often "sat in" with
Pollacks band. Glenn liked the way Ray played
and Ray impressed with Glenns imaginative
and fine writing. They became very close friends
and remained so through the years.
When Glenn left Pollack to organize a band
for Smith Be,lew, he chose Ray as drummer. The
band did well but not nearly as well as the Dorsey
Brothers, whose band Glenn also organized and
wrote Hor McKinley's drumming and MillerS writ
ing soon made it the top band Of it's day.
Glenn fast becoming the country's best
known and most sought after organizer, arranger
and trombonst. Ray Noble came over from England
and asked Glenn to organize an American band
for him. Glenn left the DorseyS, Mckinley stayed
on, later joining Jimmy DorSeys band when the
brothers split
The Ray Noble orchestra, with Glenn's arrange
ments, became top-notch outfit. Glenn then be-
gan to think about forming his own band and did
in 1887. 1t wasn't until the Spring of '39 that it
really caught the publics fancy For the next 8
years, Glenn Miller reigned as Americas number
of the greatest popular band of aH-tme
Glenn Miller featured liquid reeds with a unique
clarinet lead "ooh wah" brass, romantic ballads
swing tunes and novelties. He went into the Army
in October ~ as Captain. After his AAF band
played all over the U. S. they went overseas Glenn
had questioned his old civilian buddy now Sgt Ray
Mckinley. Glenn suggested to Ray in New Haven
1874 that Ray work up march-tempo arrangements
on top pop favorites That's where "St: Louis Blues
March" jersey Bounce March, and similar items
originated
In Europe they broadcasted over BIC, AFN
made records and transcriptionS and played for
CTS and tcyalty Rays vocals, drumming and per-
Sonality were of the reasons for their success
After Millers tragic disappearance on a flight
over the English Channel (Dec 44) it was Ray
who took over and kept the Miller music and spirit
going Mckinley was later discharged formed his
own band, got stomach virus and temporarily gave
up his loved music He went back to Texas as a
disc jockey Later he organized a band to play
dates on weekendS His love for music never Waned
His love for the Glenn Miller music never died
either The Glenn Miller Story made Americans re-
Miller estate and top agent Willard Alexander de-
cided to do something about it. They contacted
Mckinley, Glenns logical successor. They gave him
backing, rights to all the original Glenn Miller
rangements
This brought together again the combination
that thrilled millions both sides of the Atlantic
And now, because OF Rays respect and admiration
for Glenn and his music, you'll be able to hear
once more - live - the Glenn Miller orchestra at
the beautiful Totem Pole in Auburndale Mass.