10TH Anniversary SFJAZZ Spring Season Presents Battle of the Bands: Glenn Miller vs. Tommy Dorsey
A double-barreled blast from the past brings together two of the Swing Era’s most beloved orchestras in an affectionate but fiercely contested battle of the bands. Trombonist Glenn Miller led the most popular orchestra of World War II until his death in a plane crash in December 1944. The Miller family re-formed the band in 1956, and it’s been on the road ever since preserving the sweet swing sound exemplified by hits like “In The Mood,” “Moonlight Serenade” and “Tuxedo Junction.” The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra has carried on the great legacy of the Sentimental Gentleman of Swing since the trombonist’s death in 1956, a legacy that includes launching the career of Frank Sinatra. The Dorsey and Miller orchestras first faced off last year at the Montreal International Jazz Festival. For the highly anticipated rematch the two bands will share the stage, fighting it out for top honors with their enduring repertoires.