In the Mood

Glenn Miller has been dead since 1944, but someone forgot to tell his group. The legendary jazz trombonist led one of the best-known big bands during the late 1930s/early 1940s thanks to "Moonlight Serenade," "Tuxedo Junction" and "In the Mood," among others. The crash of his flight from the United Kingdom to France ended his wildly successful run, but his estate quickly created a band to tour the country and perform Miller's charted hits. The current American incarnation is led by trombonist Larry O'Brien and attempts to re-create Miller's trademark blend of melody performed by a tenor saxophone and a clarinet while three other saxes harmonize on a lone octave. This swinging style wasn't invented by Miller, only perfected. America went nuts over the band leader's precision arrangements. Still don't get it? Ask your grandparents.
Sat., March 29, 8 p.m., 2008