Glenn Miller Birthplace Society & Museum

09/02/2026

It’s your “Saturday Date with the Duke” once again this week on the “Star-Spangled Radio Hour.” The Duke is on the air with ABC Treasury Department broadcasts accompanied by RCA Victor recordings. Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra shine with Duke Ellington, 1946, Part 3, the third of the series focusing on the Duke during the transitional immediate postwar year. The world of the Duke was in flux, with a re-evaluation of his RCA Victor relationship and other commitments. The band’s schedule was as busy as ever, and they were in demand for theater dates around the nation. The third part of the 1946 Ellington series fully reflects the audience enthusiasm for the band and also subtle changes beginning to be featured in the Ellington musical agenda. It’s another week of musical brilliance on SSRH 847, which is now streaming online for your listening pleasure, along with Parts 1 and 2, SSRH 832 and SSRH 833.

https://www.dennismspragg.com/star-spangled-radio-hour

Star-Spangled Radio Hour 847
August 29, 2026

DUKE ELLINGTON – 1946, Part 3

Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra

RCA Victor Recording Sessions
August 25, 1946 – Hollywood, California
September 3, 1946 – Hollywood, California

Treasury Department Broadcast
“Your Saturday Date With The Duke,” No. 42
August 3, 1946
1:00-1:36 p.m. and 1:44-2:00 p.m. (Pacific)
Interrupted by World’s Playground Stakes from Atlantic City, New Jersey
Golden Gate Theatre
San Francisco, California
(ABC) (KGO)

Treasury Department Broadcast
“Your Saturday Date With The Duke,” No. 43
August 17, 1946
1:00-1:30 p.m. and 1:45-2:00 p.m. (Pacific)
Interrupted by All-American Handicap from Atlantic City, New Jersey
Meadowbrook Gardens
Culver City, California
(ABC) (KECA)

Playlist

(3Sep46) (D6VB 2132-1, RCA Victor LPV-553) Esquire Swank, (D6VB 2130-1, RCA Victor 20-1992) Swamp Fire (D6VB 2129-1, RCA Victor 20-2327) St. Louis Blues (Marion Cox, vocal), (D6VB 2131-1, RCA Victor 20-2324) Royal Garden Blues (3Aug46) (50:44) Take the “A” Train (opening theme), Eighth Veil, Savings Bond Announcement, Lover Man (Marion Cox, vocal), Blue is the Night, Just Squeeze Me(Ray nance, vocal), Savings Bond Announcement, Diminuendo in Blue, Transblucency (Kay Davis, vocal), Crescendo in Blue, Savings Bond Announcement, Things Ain’t What They used To Be (to network break), Take the “A” Train (second segment opening theme), A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing, Savings Bond Announcement, Hollywood Hangover, I Got It Band and That Ain’t Good (Albert Hibbler, vocal), The Jeep Is Jumpin’ (to program close) (17Aug46) (44:07) Take the “A” Train (opening theme), 9:20 Special, Day Dream, Metronome All Out, Saving Bond Announcement; A Tonal Group: Rhapsoditti, Fugueaditti, Jam-A-Ditty; Savings Bond Announcement, Take the “A” Train (theme to network break), Take the “A” Train (second segment opening theme), Just Squeeze Me (Ray Nance, vocal, Savings Bond Announcement, One O’Clock Jump. Cynthia’s In Love (Kay Davis, vocal), Take the “A” Train (closing theme) (25Aug46) (D6VB-2114-1, RCA Victor LPM-6009) Blue Is The Night

09/02/2026

Last fall, to publicize Glenn Miller Limited Edition, vol. 2, the restored and outstanding "Down For The Count" from August 6, 1940, was loaded to the Glenn Miller Limited Editions webpage as a sampler. Today, to publicize the forthcoming Glenn Miller Limited Edition, vol. 3, the restored and outstanding "Conversation Piece from May 28, 1940, is loaded to the Glenn Miller Limited Editions webpage as a sampler. This is a significant audio upgrade from the 1959 RCA Victor release. Vol. 3 is now available for pre-order for release during the holidays. The link is:

https://www.dennismspragg.com/glenn-miller-limited-edition

08/21/2026

To quote Blue Network announcer Glenn Riggs, “jazz is swing and swing is jazz,” so the Star-Spangled Radio swings jazz this week with the Metronome and Esquire All-Stars, Part 2. Here is more of our impressive musical heritage to celebrate America 250. This second episode continues to feature Esquire and Metronome recording sessions, however with a major broadcast event in between. This is the complete January 17, 1945 Esquire All-American Jazz Concert from New Orleans, New York and Los Angeles. Major musical legends return for additionally vibrant performances, with highlights too numerous to mention. Just listen and savor the delicious sounds and history. This program is dedicated to Willis Conover, whose Voice of America “Music USA” and “Jazz Hour” led the way. SSRH 846 is now streaming online for your listening pleasure at:

https://www.dennismspragg.com/star-spangled-radio-hour

Star-Spangled Radio Hour 846
August 22, 2026
Celebrating America 250

The Metronome and Esquire All-Stars, Part 2
Leonard Feather’s Esquire All-Stars
Commodore (Music Shop) Recording Session
New York
December 4, 1943

Personnel: Coleman Hawkins (tenor sax), Cootie Williams (trumpet), Edmond Hall (clarinet), Art Tatum (piano), Al Casey (guitar), Oscar Pettiford (string bass), Sid Catlett (drums), Leonard Feather (producer)

Second Esquire All-American Jazz Concert
New Orleans Municipal Auditorium
Radio City, New York
Philharmonic Auditorium, Los Angeles
January 17, 1945
11:30 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. (EWT)
Glenn Riggs, New York announcer
Danny Kaye, Los Angeles host
(Blue) (WDSU-WJZ-KECA)

Personnel: Leon Prima and his Band featuring Irving Fazola, Louis Armstrong & Jazz Foundation Six (New Orleans), Benny Goodman Quintet, with Mildred Bailey and Red Norvo (New York), Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra, with Anita O’Day, Art Tatum, Billy Holliday, Al Casey and Sid Catlett (Los Angeles)

Louis Armstrong and the Jazz Foundation Six: Louis Armstrong (trumpet, vocal), J. C. Higginbotham (trombone), Sidney Bechet (clarinet, saxophone), James P. Johnson (piano), Richard Alexis (string bass), Paul Barbarin (drums)

Benny Goodman Quintet: Benny Goodman (clarinet), Red Norvo (vibraharp), Teddy Wilson (piano), Sis Weiss (String bass), Morey Feld (drums)

Metronome All-Stars
RCA Victor Recording Session
Studio #2, New York
January 3, 1949

Personnel: Dizzy Gillespie, Fats Navarro, Miles Davis (trumpet), Kai Winding, J. J. Johnson (trombone), Buddy DeFraqnco (clarinet), Charlie Parker (alto saxophone), Charlie Ventura (tenor saxophone), Ernie Caceres (baritone saxophone), Lennie Tristano (piano), Bill Bauer (guitar), Eddie Safranski (string bass), Shelly Manne (drums), George Simon (producer)

Playlist

(43-12-04) (A-4691-1, Commodore 547) Esquire Bounce, (A-4694-1, Commodore 547) Esquire Blues, (A-4692-1, Commodore 548) My Ideal, (A-4693, Commodore 548) Mop Mop (Boff Boff) (45-01-17) Program open, (New Orleans - Leon Prima) Tin Roof Blues, Rose Room (featuring Mary Osborne, guitar); (New Orleans – Louis Armstrong) Back O’ Town Blues (Perdido Street Blues) (Louis Armstrong, vocal), Arkansas Blues (featuring James P. Johnson, piano), I’m Confessin’ That I Love You, Award presentations to Louis Armstrong & J. C. Higginbotham, Dear Old Southland (with J. C. Higginbotham), Basin Street Blues & segment close; (Benny Goodman – New York): Air Mail Special, Downhearted Blues (Mildred Bailey, vocal), Jack Benny guest appearance, The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise, segment close (Los Angeles – Duke Ellington) Esquire Jump, Danny Kaye resents Award to Willie Smith; Tea For Two, Award presentation by Judy Garland to Anita O’Day, Wish You Were Waiting For Me (Anita O’Day, vocal). Midriff; Duke Ellington presents Award to Jack Tatum, The Man I Love, I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, Baby (Art Tatum, piano); Lionel Barrymore presents Awards to Duke Ellington and members of the Orchestra; Mood To Be Wooed; Jerome Kern presents Award to Bill Holliday; I Cover The Waterfront (Billy Holliday, vocal); Danny Kaye presents Awards to Al Casey and Sid Catlett; Honeysuckle Rose (with Al Casey and Sid Catlett), Leonard Feather introduces all three locations & musicians for a three-way simulcast closing performance), Things Ain’t What They Used To Be (Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman and Louis Armstrong), to Blue Network ID; (49-01-03) (D9VB-0021-1. RCA Victor 20-3361) Overtime, (D9VC-1000-1, Unissued) Overtime

08/19/2026

The latest document in my discography and history series is now available online. It is a comprehensive summary of the Glenn Miller Moonlight Serenade Transcription Series, 1951-1953. The report details the series releases, the chronology of recorded material, a song index, a summary of commercial releases, and a list of the SSRH episodes that include the complete series. The Glenn Miller Moonlight Serenade Transcription Series, 1951,-1953, is now published online and avaialble by going to my Glenn Miller resource page and scrolling down to the link:

https://www.dennismspragg.com/glenn-miller

08/19/2026

Catch all of the videos from the 2026 Glenn Miller Festival and earlier festivals at the GMBS You Tube Channel:

Welcome to the official YouTube channel of the Glenn Miller Birthplace Society — celebrating the music and memory of Glenn Miller, America’s favorite musical patriot. Located in Clarinda, Iowa, the Glenn Miller Birthplace Society is dedicated to preserving his legacy through live performances, e...

08/19/2026

With the announcement that the annual festival in Clarinda, Iowa will now be known as the Glenn Miller Jazz Festival, so too are changes in order with the Star-Spangled Radio Hour. This week, with the 845th program, the Star-Spangled Radio Hour affirms its position as the flagship podcast for the Glenn Miller Estate, Archives and Birthplace Society. Moving forward, the series will even more closely reflect the essential jazz heritage and the work product that we have presented on the air and online to reach around the world for sixteen years and counting. In addition, I wish to also share that the theme for the 2027 Glenn Miller Jazz Festival will be “The Swing Era,” which will highlight the long-term commitment in these precincts to not only the legacy of Glenn Miller but of his era and his many colleagues, whose works we also preserve, develop and share.

Therefore, continuing to honor America 250, this week the Star-Spangled Radio Hour appropriately presents the legendary Metronome and Esquire Jazz All-Stars, Part 1, with recordings including an incredible array of jazz and swing heavyweights. Part 2 will follow soon. This special episode is dedicated to Willis Conover. His Voice of America Jazz Hour and Music USA led the way and continue to inspire. SSRH 845 is now streaming online. To catch this special presentation, just follow the regular link:

[https://www.dennismspragg.com/star-spangled-radio-hour](https://www.dennismspragg.com/star-spangled-radio-hour)

Star-Spangled Radio Hour 845
August 15, 2026
Celebrating America 250

THE METRONOME AND ESQUIRE ALL-STARS
Part 1

A Jam Session at Victor
Victor Studio #2, New York
March 31, 1937
Bunny Berigan (trumpet), Tommy Dorsey (trombone), Fats Waller (piano), Dick McDonough (guitar), George Wettling (drums)

The Metronome All-Stars
Victor Studio #2. New York
January 11, 1939
Bunny Berigan, Charlie Spivak, Sonny Dunham, Harry James (“The Blues” only) (trumpet); Tommy Dorsey, Jack Teagarden (trombone), Benny Goodman, Hymie Schertzer, Eddie Miller, Arthur Rollini (reeds). Bob Zurke (piano), Carmen Mastren (guitar), Bob Haggert (string bass), Ray Bauduc (drums)

Metronome All -Star Band & All-Star Nine
Columbia Studios, New York
February 7, 1940
Band: Charlie Spivak, Harry James, Ziggy Elman (trumpet), Jack Jenney, Jack Teagarden (trombone), Benny Goodman (music director & clarinet), Benny Carter, Charlie Barnet, Eddie Miller. T***s Mondello (Saxophones), Jess Stacy (piano), Charlie Christian (guitar). Bob Haggert (string bass), Gene Krupa (drums); Nine: Harry James (trumpet), Jack Teagarden (trombone), Benny Goodman (clarinet), Benny Carter (alto saxophone), Eddie Miller (tenor saxophone), Jess Stacy (piano), Charlie Christian (guitar), Bob Haggert (string bass), Gene Krupa (drums)

The Metronome All-Stars
Victor Studio #2, New York
January 16, 1941
Cootie Williams (trumpet), Tommy Dorsey, J. C. Higginbotham (trombone), Benny Goodman (clarinet), T***s Mondello, Benny Carter (alto saxophone), Coleman Hawkins, Tex Beneke (tenor saxophone), Count Basie (piano), Charlie Christian (guitar), Artie Bernstein (string bass), Buddy Rich (drums)

Metronome All-Star Band & All-Star Leaders
Columbia Studios, New York
December 31, 1941, and January 16, 1942
Band: Cootie Williams, Harry James, Roy Eldridge (trumpet), J. C. Higginbotham, Lou McGarrity (trombone), Benny Goodman (clarinet), Benny Carter, T***s Mondello (alto saxophone), Tex Beneke, Vido Musso (tenor saxophone), Count Basie (piano), Freddy Green (guitar), Doc Goldberg (string bass), Gene Krupa (drums); Leaders: Harry James (trumpet), Benny Goodman (clarinet), Charlie Barnet (tenor saxophone), Count Basie (piano), Alvino Rey (guitar), John Kirby (string bass), Gene Krupa (drums)

The Metronome All-Stars
RCA Victor Studio #2, New York
January 15, 1946
Collective personnel: Harry Edison, Cootie Williams, Rex Stewart, Pete Candoli, Neal Hefti, Sonny Berman (trumpet), Tommy Dorsey, Will Bradley, Bill Harris, J. C. Higginbotham (trombone), Buddy De Franco (clarinet), Johnny Hodges, Herbie Fields, Flip Phillips, Georgie Auld, Harry Carney (saxophones), Teddy Wilson (piano), Tiny Grimes, Billy Baldwin, Chubby Jackson (string bass), Red Norvo (vibraharp), Dave Tough (drums)

Esquire All-American Award Winners
RCA Victor Studio #1, New York
February 10, 1946
Collective personnel: Louis Armstrong (trumpet and vocal), Charles Shavers, Neal Hefti (trumpet), Jimmy Hamilton (clarinet), Johnny Hodges (alto saxophone), Don Byas (tenor saxophone), Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn (piano), Red Norvo (vibraharp), Reno Palmer (guitar), Chubby Jackson (string bass), Sonny Greer (drums)

Esquire All-American Award Winners
RCA Victor Studio #2, New York
December 4, 1946
Buck Clayton (trumpet), J. J. Johnson (trombone), Coleman Hawkins (tenor saxophone), Harry Carney (baritone saxophone), Teddy Wilson (piano), John Collins (guitar), Chubby Jackson (string bass), Shadow Johnson (drums)

Jack Teagarden’s Big Eight
RCA Victor Studio #1, New York
March 14, 1947
Jack Teagarden (trombone and vocal), Max Kaminsky (trumpet), Peanuts Hucko (clarinet), Clifton Strickland (tenor saxophone), Gene Schroeder (piano), Chuck Wayne (guitar), Jack Lesberg (string bass), Dave Tough (drums)

Playlist

(31Mar37) (BS-06581, Victor 25559) Honeysuckle Rose (BS-06582, Victor 25559) Blues (11Jan39) (BS 0312445-1, Unissued) Blue Lou, (BS 0312445-2, Victor 26144) Blue Lou, (BS 0312445-3, Unissued) Blue Lou (BS-031446-1, Victor 26144) The Blues, (BS-031446-2, Unissued) The Blues (7Feb40) (WCO 26489-A, Columbia 35389) King Porter Stomp (WCO 26490-A, Columbia 35389) All-Star Strut (16Feb41) (BS-060331, Victor 27314) Bugle Call Rag (BS-060332, Victor 27314) One O’Clock Jump (31Dec41) (CO 32079-1, Columbia 36499) Royal Flush, (CO 32079-2, Unissued) Royal Flush, (CO Unissued) Dear Old Southland, (CO 32261-2, Columbia 36499). I Got Rhythm (CO 32261-3, Unissued) I Got Rhythm (15Jan46) (D6VC-5026, RCA Victor 40-4000) Look Out (D6VC-5027, RCA Victor 40-4000) Metronome All Out (10Feb46) (PD6VC-5020, RCA Victor 40-4001) Long, Long Journey (Louis Armstrong, vocal) (PD6VC-5021, RCA Victor 40-4001) Snafu (PD6VC-5022, RCA Victor 40-4002) The One That Got Away, (PD6VC-5023, Victor 40-4002) Gone With the Wind (4Dec46) (D6VB-3369, RCA Victor 40-0137) Indiana Winter, (D6VB-3370, RCA Victor 40-0136) Indian Summer, (D6VB-3371, RCA Victor 40-0134) Blow Me Down, (D6VB-3372, RCA Victor 40-0135) Buckin’ the Blues (14Mar47) (D7VB-661-1, RCA Victor 20-2458) Blues After Hours (Jack Teagarden, vocal)

08/04/2026

If it is summer, then the Star-Spangled Radio Hour must be visiting the Glen Island Casino. By the waters of Long Island Sound, this week the music of Glenn Miller fills the airwaves with broadcasts and recordings from August 1939. Beginning with the most recognizable hit of the big band era, “In the Mood,” the band offers ample evidence of why they were becoming a big hit with the teens and college crowd around New York and across the nation over the NBC Red and Blue airwaves. Everyone is present and accounted for, including GM, Tex Beneke, Marion Hutton and Ray Eberle. There is a special emphasis on the influence of arranger Eddie Durham toward the 1939 ascent of the Miller band. Your summer weekend will fall back eighty-seven years to New Rochelle’s “mecca of music for moderns” as SSRH 843 is now streaming online for your listening pleasure:

https://www.dennismspragg.com/star-spangled-radio-hour

Learn more about Glenn Miller:

https://www.dennismspragg.com/glenn-miller

Star-Spangled Radio Hour 843
August 1, 2026
Celebrating America 250

Glenn Miller – August 1939

Glenn Miller and his Orchestra

RCA Bluebird Recording Sessions
August 1, 1939 – New York, Studio 2
August 18, 1939 – New York, Studio 2

Glen Island Casino
New Rochelle, New York
August 1, 1939
6:30-6:45 p.m.
(NBC-Red) (WEAF)
Sustaining Broadcast
Al Robinson, announcer

Glen Island Casino
New Rochelle, New York
August 4, 1939
11:00-11:15 p.m.
(NBC-Blue) (WJZ)
Sustaining Broadcast
Jack Costello, announcer

Glen Island Casino
New Rochelle, New York
August 4, 1939 (Probable)
11:15-11:30 p.m.
(NBC-Blue) (WJZ)
Sustaining Broadcast
Jack Costello, announcer

Glen Island Casino
New Rochelle, New York
August 15, 1939
6:30-6:45 p.m.
(NBC-Red) (WEAF)
Sustaining Broadcast
Al Robinson, announcer

Playlist

(1Aug39) (BS-038170-1, Bluebird B-10416) In The Mood, (BS-038171-1, Bluebird B-10399) Wham (Re-Bop-Boom-Bam) (Marion Hutton, vocal), (BS-038172-1, Bluebird B-10383) An Angel In A Furnished Room (Ray Eberle, vocal), (BS-038173-1, Bluebird B-10388) Twilight Interlude (Ray Eberle, vocal), (BS-038173-1, Bluebird B-10416) I Want To Be Happy (1Aug39-NBC) Moonlight Serenade (opening theme), The Lady’s In Love With You (Tex Beneke and Glenn Miller, vocal), Twilight Interlude (Ray Eberle, vocal), We Can Live On Love (Marion Hutton, vocal), I Want To Be Happy, Moonlight Serenade (closing theme) (4Aug39-A) Moonlight Serenade (opening theme), Slip Horn Jive, The Lamp Is Low (Ray Eberle, vocal), My Isle Of Golden Dreams, King Porter Stomp, Moonlight Serenade (closing theme), to station break (4Aug39-B) Moonlight Serenade (opening theme), The Lady’s In Love With You (Tex Beneke and Glenn Miller, vocal), Twilight Interlude (Ray Eberle, vocal), Ding, D**g, the Witch is Dead (Marion Hutton, vocal), Bugle Call Rag, Moonlight Serenade (closing theme) (15Aug39) Moonlight Serenade (opening theme), Ain’t ‘Cha Comin’ Out? (Tex Beneke and Marion Hutton, vocal), The Lamp Is Low (Ray Eberle, vocal), My Isle of Golden Dreams, Pagan Love Song, Moonlight Serenade (closing theme) (18Aug39) (BS-041586-1, Bluebird B-10486) Who’s Sorry Now? (Ray Eberle, vocal), (BS-038143-2, Bluebird B-10399) My Isle of Golden Dreams, (BS-041588-2, Bluebird Unissued) Blue Moonlight (Ray Eberle, vocal) (1Aug39) (BS-038175-1, Bluebird B-10495) Farewell Blues

07/30/2026

The Glenn Miller Birthplace Society is pleased to announce that Glenn Miller Limited Edition, volume 3, is now available for pre-order. We want to deliver this exciting new addition to our critically acclaimed series of previously unreleased broadcast recordings for the holiday season.

Continuing our standard of excellence, Volume 3 will contain dozens of musical selections from the original Glenn Miller Estate source materials in another two-CD package. The recordings from Glenn Miller’s 1940-1942 Chesterfield Moonlight Serenade broadcasts are again presented in extraordinary audio quality. Among the great selections are four complete broadcasts: March 27, 1940; December 3, 1940; March 25, 1942 and May 27, 1942.

The Limited Edition will contain 1,200 sets. Given the popularity of Volumes 1 and 2, reserving your copy of Volume 3 would be a good idea.

To pre-order Glenn Miller Limited Edition, Volume 3, please go to https://www.glennmiller.org and follow the link to the new set.

To learn more about Glenn Miller Limited Edition, Volume 3, please go to https://www.dennismspragg.com/glenn-miller-limited-edition to hear audio samples and explore the complete Volume 3 playlist.

07/01/2026

Help us make next year even better! 🎺 Whether you attended this year's festival or performed on stage, we'd love to hear from you. Your input helps us create even better experiences for our community.

Attendees: https://www.glennmiller.org/attendee-survey

Performers: https://www.glennmiller.org/performer-survey

It should only takes a few minutes, thank you!