The United States Air Force Band of Flight’s Night Flight Jazz Ensemble will present their annual Glenn Miller free public concert outside the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio May 21, at 6:00 p.m. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Glenn Miller tribute concert May 21 at National Museum of the USAF

Published May 11, 2011
By Master Sgt. Becky Taylor and Master Sgt. Wendy Harvey
Air Force Band of Flight Public Affairs

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- The U.S. Air Force Band of Flight's Night Flight Jazz Ensemble will celebrate the heritage of the great American band leader, Maj. Glenn Miller, in a concert Saturday, May 21, at 6:00 p.m. at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

The free public performance will take place outside the museum's Modern Flight Gallery. Visitors are asked to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating.

Dressed in authentic Army Air Force "pinks and greens" uniforms, the band will revive the distinctive sounds of this famed jazz musician from the "swing" era by performing his classic tunes such as "In the Mood" and "Moonlight Serenade."

Just like last year, the band will be led by "The Keeper of the Big Band Flame," Tom Daugherty, Dayton's own Miller style expert. Daugherty has performed with The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and many great jazz artists including Maynard Ferguson and Dizzy Gillespie. He acquired his expertise in the Miller style by studying with two original Glenn Miller Orchestra members Paul Tanner and Norman Leyden.

"Tom Daugherty's appearance at last year's Glenn Miller show was so well received that we had to bring him back for an encore performance. This collaboration concert promises to take our audience back to when swing was king and Miller was at the top of the charts," said Master Sgt. Jay Halpin, Night Flight noncommissioned officer in charge.

This year, Night Flight welcomes as special guests, the "Sentimental Singers." This vocal group featuring Mindy Meltzer, Dale Hawley, and Jarrod Harrah follows the legacy of the "Modernaires." The "Modernaires" collaborated many times with the Miller orchestra including on the signature tune, "Chattanooga Choo Choo," which is on the program.

"The annual outdoor Glenn Miller Concert seems to be a true favorite among our military and civilian community," said Ms. Teresa Montgomery, chief of the museum's Special Events Division. "The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force appreciates the opportunity to partner with the Air Force Band of Flight to present the classic sounds of the Glenn Miller era to our friends from the Miami Valley and surrounding states."

This program is one in an annual series presented by the Band of Flight at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. The next concert in the series is planned for September 11, when the band again performs with music director Neal Gittleman and the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra.

For more information about upcoming performances by your United States Air Force Band of Flight and to sign up to receive our electronic newsletter, please visit www.bandofflight.af.mil.