Glenn Miller

Glenn Miller put a whole nation "In the Mood." Miller led the most successful big band of the Swing era -- not a bad accomplishment considering that a strong sense of swing was the only thing this trombonist lacked. Thankfully, Miller corralled a wonderful group of musicians and arrangers and had hit after deserving hit during the War years. The era of Bobby Soxers and rationing may be over but "Moonlight Serenade," "Pennsylvania 6-5000," and the evergreen "In the Mood" have been embraced by the new generation of Lindy Hoppers. The man himself died when his plane was shot down over the English Channel, but his band continues in one form or another to this day. Critics still debate whether Miller was a jazz musician or not, but nobody ever questions how good he was at what he did.