PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Distribution

January 7, 2006

           Fort Bend Performing Arts Series Presents

The Glenn Miller Orchestra

Fort Bend Performing Arts Series is pleased to present The Glenn Miller Orchestra in concert on Saturday, February 24, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.  The Glenn Miller Orchestra is the most popular and sought after big band in the world today for both concert and swing dance engagements. With its unique jazz sound, the Glenn Miller Orchestra is considered to be one of the greatest bands of all time.  The present Glenn Miller Orchestra was formed in 1956 and has been touring consistently since, playing an average of 300 live dates a year all around the world.

Trombonist Larry O’Brien became the leader of the Glenn Miller Orchestra in November 1988. It is the second time he held this position; the first time being from June 1981 through September 1983 when he was called away by other commitments.  O’Brien has a direct link back to the Glenn Miller sense of performance—he performed with the Miller bank in the early Sixties. Larry has been involved with big bands during most of his career, having performed with many top orchestras, including Sammy Kaye, Ray Eberle and Sam Donahue/Tommy Dorsey. He has also worked with such stars as Tom Jones, Frank Sinatra, Wayne Newton and many other noted performers.

The Glenn Miller Orchestra has always been very musical, disciplined, and visually entertaining. It also has its own distinctive “sound.”  That sound is created by the clarinet holding the melodic line, doubled or coupled with the tenor sax playing the same notes; the harmonies are produced by three other saxophones, while growling trombones and wailing trumpets add their “oo-ahs.”  Glenn Miller and his orchestra made a big impact right before and during World War II, and had more hit records in one year than anybody in the history of the recording industry. In fact, its recording of Chattanooga Choo-Choo earned the first Gold Record ever awarded to a performing artist.

Back in the days of the big band era during the forties, any band “worth its salt” had a distinctive theme song.  It was the musical signature with which they signed-on and signed-off their engagements and radio broadcasts.  The theme of the Glenn Miller Orchestra was the beautiful Moonlight Serenade, and it is still the signature of the band today.

The current 19-member Glenn Miller Orchestra continues to play may of the original Glenn Miller arrangements.  Additionally, they are also playing more modern selection in the big-band style, carefully selecting only those newer tunes that lend themselves naturally to the Miller style and sound.

Fort Bend Performing Arts Series is pleased to present The Glenn Miller Orchestra in concert on February 24, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. The concert is in the auditorium of Williams Trace Baptist Church located at 16755 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, Texas.  Tickets are $25 and all seats are reserved.  Tickets can be purchased online at www.fbpas.org or by calling Suzan Dortch at 281-275-6527. Special rates are available for groups of 20 or more.