Glenn Miller Tribute

Published Dec. 15, 2009
By Senior Master Sgt. Joe Jackson
The USAF Band

BOLLING AFB, D.C. -- In early December, the Airmen of Note traveled to Montgomery, Ala. to perform a holiday tribute to legendary band leader Major Glenn Miller.

The concert, presented yearly in the majestic Montgomery Performing Arts Center, is jointly sponsored by the City of Montgomery and Maxwell Air Force Base's Air University, under the command of Lt. Gen. Allen G. Peck.

As the direct descendant of Major Miller's Army Air Corp Dance Band, members of the Airmen of Note have a special place in their hearts for the "Glenn Miller Sound." Judging by the audience's enthusiastic reaction, the good folks of Air University and the city of Montgomery feel the same way.

The concert also gave the "Note" the opportunity to feature music from their brand new holiday CD, "Cool Yule." A musical collection of holiday favorites arranged in the style of classic hits from the big band era, this hard-swinging music had the crowd dancing in the aisles. Two selections from "Cool Yule"--"Up on the Housetop" and "Auld Lang Cha Cha Cha"--are available for download from our website.

The Montgomery performance represents a precious opportunity for Air University and The Air Force Band to team up in appreciation for the Montgomery community, who do so much to support Maxwell Air Force Base and the men and women of the U.S. Air Force.

Prior to the "Note's" first appearance at the event in 2004, a number of civilian and military bands had performed at the yearly event on a rotational basis. However after hearing the Airmen of Note, the founder of the yearly concert, Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Charles G. Cleveland insisted that the "Note" take over as the event's regular band!