Glenn Miller (1904-1944) was an American trombonist, arranger and bandleader whose orchestra dominated the charts from 1939 to 1942, racking up 16 number-one singles and 69 top-10 hits in just four years - more than Elvis Presley or the Beatles. His trademark sound, built on a clarinet carrying the melody above a saxophone section, became the defining voice of the swing era. In December 1944 he vanished over the English Channel on a flight to Paris to perform for US troops; his body was never found. The orchestra bearing his name has toured continuously since 1956.
The Glenn Miller European Orchestra opened the 2025/2026 season with a new program Swing Forever under the direction of new chief conductor Ulli Plettendorff, who replaced Wil Salden after more than 40 years and over 5,200 concerts.
The orchestra announced an extensive European tour 2025/2026 covering Italy, Malta, Poland, the Baltic states, Bulgaria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic.
The orchestra performed at the international jazz festival in Tashkent (Uzbekistan) as part of International Jazz Day on April 30, 2025 before a sold-out hall.
Ray Anthony, the last surviving member of the original Glenn Miller orchestra, turned 104 years old in 2026.
