Photo courtesy of The Glenn Miller Orchestra

I grew up listening to Big Band music. My dad loved to listen to Chuck Shaden’s “Those Were The Days” old time radio broadcasts on Chicago radio. We’d listen to The Jack Benny Show, Fibber McGee & Molly, and The Shadow. But I particularly loved when Chuck would play Big Band classics like Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, and my favorite – Glenn Miller. As a treat for my birthday, Chad took me to see The Glenn Miller Orchestra at Benaroya Hall.

Benaroya Hall as seen from the corner of 2nd and University

Benaroya Hall is home to Seattle’s symphony and architecturally, it is a wonderful place for music of all kinds. It provides the class and glamour the Seattle cultural scene wants and needs without being too stuffy.

My somewhat blurry photo doesn’t do this Chihuly chandelier justice!

Dale Chihuly’s “Crystal Cascade” chandeliers greet concert goers entering Benaroya Hall. The Grand Lobby has a half-moon wall of windows which provide amazing views of the Sound, the Seattle Art Museum, and various neighboring skyscrapers.

My photos don’t do justice to this elegant setting. But I was more concerned with the sounds than the sights on this night!

As you can imagine, no one from the original Glenn Miller Orchestra is still playing in the band, however the new generation has an equal amount of talent. Led by the exuberant Nick Hilscher, the band played favorites like In the Mood, Sentimental Journey, and Moonlight Serenade. Singer Natalie Angst joined the band on several of the tunes.

Chad and I were the youngest in the audience by about thirty or forty years, but we enjoyed every moment of the jumpin’ and jivin’ music! I think my dad would have enjoyed the show, too.