Whenever fans of big band music discuss their favorite band of the World War II period, inevitably one of the top micks is Glenn Miller. This August marked 80 years since legendary bandleader Glenn Miller’s last performance at RAF Twinwood, a military base north of London. Just months after this final show in August 1944, Miller disappeared while flying from England to Paris- a mystery that remains unsolved. Today, his legacy is celebrated annually at the Twinwood Festival, held on the very grounds where he once performed, preserving the memory of his music and his connection to World War II.
Miller’s importance during the war can’t be overstated. In June 1944, he arrived in the U.K. and began performing for American troops stationed at various military bases across the country. His music, characterized by hits like “In the Mood” and “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” brought a sense of home to soldiers far from their families. The festival’s curator, Robert Allen, recounts that Miller’s concert at Twinwood on August 27, 1944, was particularly significant, as it was a personal thank-you to the base’s commanding officer for allowing the bandleader to travel freely to perform for the troops.
Just a few months after his August performance, Miller embarked on a fateful journey to Paris in December. Alongside pilot John Morgan and Colonel Norman Baesell, Miller boarded a small Norseman aircraft for a live radio broadcast meant to boost morale across Europe. Sadly, the plane never reached its destination. The cause of the crash remains a topic of speculation; Allen suggests that icing on the aircraft’s carburetor or wings may have caused the disaster.
Despite the tragedy, Miller’s music endures. For over 20 years, the Twinwood Festival has honored his contribution to the war effort. Attendees can immerse themselves in the history of Twinwood’s wartime role, from its preserved buildings to the stories told in the Twinwood Aviation Museum. The highlight of the festival is the performance by the U.K. Glenn Miller Orchestra, led by Ray McVay. According to saxophonist Andy Potts, who has played with the band for over 25 years, the festival draws people of all generations, from those who knew Miller’s music firsthand to younger fans discovering his tunes.
Lola Lamour, a regular performer at the festival, describes how Miller’s music encapsulates the camaraderie, romance, and resilience of wartime Britain. “You can picture the couples dressed up in their best clothes, the boys in their uniforms,” she says. Lamour notes that while the festival has evolved, its spirit remains unchanged, offering attendees a nostalgic journey back to a simpler, yet tumultuous time.
The enduring popularity of the festival reflects the lasting appeal of Glenn Miller’s music and its profound impact on the war generation. As long as the festival continues, so will the memory of Glenn Miller—a reminder of how music can bring comfort even in the darkest times.
The music of leader/composer/arranger Glenn Miller can be heard on Swing Street Radio.
Craig Roberts writes the “Hot Big Band News” column for Swing Street Radio, and on occasion claims to have been Tex Beneke’s dog walker.
