The John Miller Orchestra - formerly The Herb Miller Orchestra - is the only big band performing the music of Glenn Miller that had direct family links to the great man himself, in the form of Herb Miller, his brother, and John Miller, his nephew. In the Miller family, there were three brothers and a sister. In order of appearance they were Dean, Glenn, Herb and Irene. Herb was John's father which made Glenn, John's uncle.
Herb Miller developed his musical talent very much under the guidance of his elder brother, Glenn, and went on to form various bands in America.
Many years after the disappearance of Glenn, Herb was given the opportunity and decided he wanted to recreate the Miller Magic and form an orchestra to play the music of his brother. In 1958 the Herb Miller Orchestra was first established. Herb had worked in America for many years with his son John, and John started playing bass with his father's band at the tender age of 15 and shortly thereafter, in addition, became the band's singer. Nepotism was alive and well in the Miller family. Herb's oldest daughter came into the band on piano, his youngest son, in time, joined the trumpet section and the baby of the family, Janet, started singing at 12.
In 1981 Herb and John decided to form the Herb Miller Orchestra in Great Britain. John became his business partner and was the featured singer with the band. John and Herb built an organisation which now contains some of the best musicians in the country. There are still two of the original members that have been with the band for over 30 years and the rest range in service time from 30 years down to 12 years with the odd "newcomer" with only 4 or 5 years on the roster.
When Herb Miller died in September 1987 - just days before a 28 date tour of Norway, Denmark and Sweden - John Miller took over the direction of the Herb Miller Orchestra. With the help of his loyal and supportive crew the band sailed through the Scandinavian tour so successfully that the band was asked to come back and tour twice more. 15 years after Herb's passing, it was decided in 2002 that the band should be renamed: The John Miller Orchestra was born.
"The audience were gripped by Miller Mania!"
John had a unique brand of Yankee showmanship, humour, and his personality has given this already sterling organisation a reputation of "a good time for all" including the band! John used to say: "They're having such a good time, I sometimes wonder why I bother to pay them!" John had the uncanny ability to reach a crowd whether it is in the small confines of a smokey bar or the vast expanse of Hyde Park to ten thousand plus.
The JMO is joined on stage by vocalist Fiona Paige who is at the centre of the great Modernaires numbers like: "Chattanooga Choo Choo" and: "I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo". As Fiona is an ex dancer, she brings years of professionalism, energy and an extra dimension and definition to the term Big Band Singer. She is a show in herself. To see her is to love her.
Notable guest artists who have appeared with the orchestra include Gloria Brent - who sang with Glenn Miller in 1944 - and original Glenn Miller band member and featured soloist, clarinettist 'Peanuts' Hucko who toured with the orchestra in 1995. The Kaye Sisters toured with the orchestra in 1996 and world-renown Lindy Hopper's Simon Slemon and Rusty Frank, in 1997, as part of the "In the Mood" tour.
While the orchestra naturally plays a lot of Miller, we also delve into the library of all the other big band greats. There's also a welcome extension with special numbers exclusive to the orchestra, pieces like "Herbie's Jive" and "Remember Glenn Miller" as well as original compositions and arrangements by Herb himself.
The musicians have been chosen not just for their musical expertise but also for their amiable personalities. They have a good time and spread joy where ever they go.
The orchestra has been satisfying and entertaining audiences wherever it performs. Not only is it a big band performing some of the greatest big band music and songs that have been written, but is also a big band that offers much more than just a concert, but a show of timeless music.
The orchestra has extensively toured in the UK, Spain, France, Belgium, The Canary Islands and the Scandinavian Countries, Dubai, Shanghai - to name but a few - recreating the classical Glenn Miller sound for the pleasure of thousands of listeners.
When John Miller passed away in June 2021, the responsibility of the orchestra was placed in the hands of David Pearce. David was a friend and protégé of John Miller for over 30 years and is a professional trombonist and conductor.