Glenn Miller
"Moonlight Serenade" composer
Glenn Miller was an American bandleader, arranger, and trombonist who defined the swing era sound of the late 1930s and early 1940s.
His orchestra produced distinctive hits like "In the Mood" and "Moonlight Serenade." Miller disappeared over the English Channel in 1944 while traveling to entertain troops, becoming one of World War II's enduring mysteries.
Large instrumental ensemble
- arrangerOne who orders elements
- conductorOne who directs musicians
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
- sidemenSupporting band members
rehearsal · charts · sectionals · score · performance · concert · gig · repertoire
1940s swing instrumental about trains
- jitterbugEnergetic swing-era partner dance
- lindy hopHarlem-born swing dance style
- dance hallPublic venue for dancing
- ballroomVenue for formal dances
syncopation · groove · big band era · savoy · zoot suit · jive · boogie-woogie
Copper-zinc metal mixture
- reedsHollow-stemmed marsh plants
- rhythm sectionTimekeeping instrumentalists in ensemble
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
- melodyPleasing sequence of notes
arrangement · blend · voicing · unison · smooth · polished · orchestration
Military welfare nonprofit
- troop moraleSoldiers' collective confidence
- WWII1939-45 global conflict
- European theaterPlayhouse on the continent
- military serviceDuty in armed forces
broadcasts · disappearance · English Channel · 1944 · missing in action · patriotism · war effort · legacy
Smooth continuous movement
- mouthpieceOne who speaks officially
- embouchureWind player's mouth position
- glissandoRapid pitch sweep
- brassCopper-zinc metal mixture
Period of peak prosperity
- vintageQuality from past eras
- classicOf lasting excellence
- timelessUnaffected by eras
- bygone eraPeriod no longer current
reminiscence · retro · standards · memories · wistful · sentimental · halcyon days
orchestra
Large instrumental ensemble
sidemen · rehearsal · charts · sectionals · score · performance · concert · gig · repertoire · musicianship
Chattanooga Choo Choo
1940s swing instrumental about trains
- jitterbugEnergetic swing-era partner dance
- lindy hopHarlem-born swing dance style
- dance hallPublic venue for dancing
ballroom · syncopation · groove · big band era · savoy · zoot suit · jive · boogie-woogie
brass
Copper-zinc metal mixture
- reedsHollow-stemmed marsh plants
- rhythm sectionTimekeeping instrumentalists in ensemble
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
melody · arrangement · blend · voicing · unison · smooth · polished · orchestration
USO
Military welfare nonprofit
- troop moraleSoldiers' collective confidence
- WWII1939-45 global conflict
- European theaterPlayhouse on the continent
military service · broadcasts · disappearance · English Channel · 1944 · missing in action · patriotism · war effort · legacy
slide
Smooth continuous movement
- mouthpieceOne who speaks officially
- embouchureWind player's mouth position
- glissandoRapid pitch sweep
brass · soloist · instrumental
golden age
Period of peak prosperity
bygone era · reminiscence · retro · standards · memories · wistful · sentimental · halcyon days
- musical actsband, group, duo, trio, quartet
- IowansHerbert Hoover, John Wayne, Johnny Carson, Ashton Kutcher, Elijah Wood
- swing bandsbig band, swing band, swing era, bandleader, Benny Goodman
- Swing Erabig band, swing music, swing, swing era, big band era
- Troop Moralemorale boosters, morale boosting, troop morale, USO, USO shows
- Miller thingsmillstone, mill wheel, hopper, grinding, milling
Glenn MillerCharlie Parker
Bebop alto saxophone innovator
Dizzy Gillespie · Thelonious Monk · John Coltrane · Miles Davis · Charles Mingus
Glenn Millerfree jazz
Formless avant-garde improvisation
noise music · punk rock · Sex Pistols · Frank Zappa · The Velvet Underground