Jerry Gray - A Tribute to Glenn Miller

Of all the bandleaders who tried to assume the Glenn Miller mantle following Miller's death, Jerry Gray probably had the closest ties to Miller's music, having been one of his principal arrangers.

And so when Gray produced this "tribute to Glenn Miller" in 1951, it really was as much a tribute to his musicianship, for these are all his own arrangements, and four are his compositions.

While I believe that Gray had a touring band at one time, these recordings seem to have been made by studio musicians. The sides were made in three sessions a few days apart, and there was an almost complete turnover in personnel during that period. Not that you will be able to tell the difference between the groups - at least I can't - and to be sure the musicians are steeped in the style. The second group of personnel in particular is stocked with ex-Miller sidemen. (A roster is in the download.)

This is a notably well played and fairly well recorded collection that displays Gray's main stylistic trait - riff and variations. It's a formula that worked for Miller, and it sure works well here.

This transfer is from a unplayed store stock set of four 45s. Decca also issued the album as a 78 set and 10-inch LP.