King’s Brass and Glenn Miller Come to Dowling Park

Two exciting events are coming soon to Dowling Park. Tim Zimmerman and The King’s Brass are set to perform Thursday, Jan. 25, and the Glenn Miller Orchestra will be here Thursday, Feb. 1.

Tim Zimmerman and The King’s Brass is comprised of professional musicians from across the country who desire to use the instruments they love to lead others in praise and worship, often presenting hymn classics with a contemporary flair. The King’s Brass features three trumpets, three trombones, a tuba, percussion and keyboards. These instruments blend together to create a time of innovative worship that is enjoyed by all generations.

Secular and sacred music critics alike applaud their concerts as “superb in every way,” “innovative and well played,” and “truly, an unforgettable experience!” A favorite of the community, ACV describes them as “phenomenal” and “outstanding,” and encourages everyone who can make it to attend what is sure to be a great concert.

Based out of Fort Wayne, Indiana, the group plays over 120 concerts per year from coast to coast as well as international destinations. The group’s most recent recording, HOPE, features the group’s flugelhorns and low brass, along with special guests the Men of The Chapel and Aire Born Strings.

The legendary Glenn Miller was one of the most successful of all dance bandleaders back in the Swing Era of the 1930s and 40s. A matchless string of hit records, the constant impact of radio broadcasts, and the drawing power at theatres, hotels and dance pavilions built and sustained the momentum of popularity.

Glenn disbanded his musical organization in 1942 at the height of its popularity to volunteer for the Army. There, he organized and led the famous Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band. It went to Europe to entertain servicemen performing numerous live and radio shows. On Dec. 15, 1944, Major Miller took off in a single engine plane from Europe to precede his band to France, disappearing over the English Channel, never to be seen again. The Army declared him officially dead a year later.

With the release of the major motion movie, The Glenn Miller Story featuring Jimmy Stewart and June Allyson in 1954, interest and popular demand led the Miller Estate to authorize the formation of the present Glenn Miller Orchestra. On June 6, 1956, and under the direction of drummer Ray McKinley who had become the unofficial leader of the Army Air Force Band after Glenn’s disappearance, the reformed Glenn Miller Orchestra performed its first concert and has been on the road ever since. Since January 2012, vocalist Nick Hilscher leads the band.

Today, the 18-member ensemble continues to play many of the original Miller arrangements — from both the civilian band and the AAFB libraries. Additionally, it also plays some more modern selections arranged and performed in the Miller style and sound.

Just as it was in Glenn’s day, the Glenn Miller Orchestra today is still the most sought after big band in the world.

Please plan to join us for Tim Zimmerman and The King’s Brass on Thursday, Jan. 25, and the Glenn Miller Orchestra on Thursday, Feb. 1. Both concerts will take place in The Village Church at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets may be purchased at the door, from the Advent Christian Village cashier (386-658-5343), or in Live Oak at The Music Center or Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce. General admission tickets are $17 each, student tickets are $7, and children five and under are free. Season tickets are available and may be used to attend all of the Live! at Dowling Park Artist Series concerts. Through a reciprocity agreement, season ticket holders may also attend the artist series concerts at North Florida Community College (in Madison, Florida) and the Lake City (Florida) Community Concerts at no additional charge. For season ticket pricing, call (386) 658-5343.