Glenn Miller

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #125: Jeep Jockey Jump

23.07.2012 by Chris

Glenn Alton Miller (March 1, 1904 – Dec. 15, 1944 (missing in action)) dominated popular music from the spring of 1939 to the fall of 1942 and was during that relatively brief period the most popular bandleader in the U.S.

In 1942, at age 38, he decided to join the army which was now also involved in World War II. He was too old to be drafted but after months of negotiations, he got accepted on September 10. On September 27, he played his final gig with his civil band which he broke up afterwards.

Captain (later Major) Glenn Miller was transferred to the Army Air Force. He organized a service band and began performing at military camps and war-bond rallies. He also hosted a weekly radio series called «Sustain the Wings«. In 1943, he had two more Top Ten hits in the charts.

In June 1944, he took his band to Great Britain and performed for the troops and did radio broadcasts.

On December 15, 1944, Glenn Miller was to fly to Paris to play for the troops there. His plane disappeared over the English Channel. Neither the crew, nor passengers, nor the plane has ever been found. Miller's status is missing in action.

Jeep Jockey Jump

The song was written by Jerry Gray and celebrated all of the soldiers driving across the battlefields in the famous four-wheel vehicles.

Some songs are particularly suitable or attractive for choreographies. Go on YouTube, type in the title of our song of the week and you know what I mean.

There are several versions with different tempos available.

[easyazon-image align=»left» asin=»B004LBW5AW» locale=»us» height=»160″ src=»https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51VH5KYzMPL._SL160_.jpg» width=»157″]Title: [easyazon-link asin=»B004LBS790″ locale=»us»]Jeep Jockey Jump[/easyazon-link]
Artist: Glenn Miller & The Army Airforce Band
Recorded: 1944
Album: [easyazon-link asin=»B004LBW5AW» locale=»us»]The Lost Recordings[/easyazon-link]
Tempo: 184 bpm
Dance: Balboa, Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song at
iTunes CH/EU ･ iTunes US ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B004LBTF9Q» locale=»de»]Amazon.de[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B004LBS790″ locale=»us»]A'zon.com[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B004LBCCIM» locale=»uk»]A'zon.co.uk[/easyazon-link] ･ emusic

What do you think about this version? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

Every Monday, I post a new «Song of the Week«.
You can find the songs also on my Spotify playlist or on 8tracks.

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #87: Troubled

31.10.2011 by Chris

This gem was introduced to me by Kyle Smith while his Music Madness at this year's The Experiment.

Frankie «Tram» Trumbauer (30.05.1901 – 11.06.1956) was a leading saxophonist (mainly C-melody saxophone, and alto saxophone) and one of the major bandleaders during the 1920s and 1930s. He is regarded as grandfather of modern jazz and influenced many following jazz musicians. Lester Young was one of them.

After playing in different dance orchestras he became a member of Jean Goldkette's Orchestra of which he eventually became the musical director. In the late 1920s, he cut some of the definitive records of the era with cornetist Bix Beiderbecke and guitarist Eddie Lang, such as Singin› the Blues (Song of the Week #37).

Both, Trumbauer and Beiderbecke, joined afterwards Adrian Rollini's Orchestra and then Paul Whiteman's Orchestra. In 1932, Trumbauer left Whiteman to form his own Orchestra, before returning in 1933 for another four years.

During 1934-1936, Trumbauer made a series of recordings often including Jack Teagarden. When he left Whiteman in 1936, he led the Three T's, featuring the Teagarden brothers.

Trumbauer was also a highly skilled pilot. In 1940, he left the music business and during World War II, he was a test pilot. He still played music but it was not his main occupation anymore.

That is interesting:
When I was looking for a good quality version of Troubled, I've found it on a Glenn Miller album. I couldn't find any other sources about this recording session with Miller, though.

Title: Troubled
Artist: Frankie Trumbauer & His Orchestra, with Glenn Miller
Recorded: 20.11.1934, New York
Album: The Glenn Miller Story, Vol. 1-2
Tempo: 189 bpm
Dance: Balboa

Click the link to prelisten and/or buy the song (mp3/mp4a) at
iTunes EU — iTunes US — Amazon.de (CH/D/A) — Amazon.com
eMusic*

*not an eMusic member yet? Get 25 Songs with Your 7 Day FREE Trial!

Would this also be one of your favourite songs? Let us know in the comment section below!

Every Monday, I post a new «Song of the Week«.

Song of the Week #86: «Postcard To Fere» by Erich Nussbaum
Song of the Week #85: «Summit Ridge Drive» by Artie Shaw & His Gramercy Five
Song of the Week #84: «Root Hog Or Die» by The Harlem Hamfats
Song of the Week #83: «Queer Notions» by Fletcher Henderson & His Orchestra
Song of the Week #82: «Bizet Has His Day» by Les Brown

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DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #58: Yes, My Darling Daughter

11.04.2011 by Chris

Kyle Smith held that talk «This Music Sucks» at The Experiment and of course we were discussing about Glenn Miller. Many people think that his swing music is too romantic, too cheesy, too boring, whatsoever.

You know what? It's totally true! But there is a flip side of Glenn Miller's music. Kyle and I agree with each other that he recorded some awesome really hard swinging tracks, absolutely great music!

Here is my proof, a tune which I play quite regularly for dancers: Yes, My Darling Daughter from 1940.

This is what I've found about the origin of the song on Wikipedia:

Yes, My Darling Daughter is a song by Jack Lawrence and is based on a Ukrainian folk-song «Oj ne khody Hrytsju», often ascribed to the Ukrainian songstress Marusia Churai. It first appeared in the 1812 vaudeville «The Cossack-Poet» by Catterino Cavos. This melody is unknown before Cavos, and is suggested that it was written by him. […]

What I like about this song

pumping, forward driving rhythm section
the choir of musicians who respond to Marion Hutton's vocals
change of the energy level after the second sax solo at 1:54, only to push up again to a fulminant ending. WOW!

Glenn Miller and His Orchestra The Complete

Title: Yes, My Darling Daughter
Artist: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra feat. Marion Hutton
Released: 1940
Tempo: 203 bpm
Dance: Balboa, Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song from: Amazon ･ iTunes

You can find the songs of the series also on my Spotify playlist. Official hashtag of the series: #djcsotw

Do you like the «Song of the Week» series? Share your thoughts below.

Glenn Miller

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #125: Jeep Jockey Jump

Jeep Jockey Jump

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DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #87: Troubled

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DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #58: Yes, My Darling Daughter

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