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| We lost Tex Beneke on the 30th May 2000 and I thought then that we had lost too, the great
Tex Beneke Orchestra. Tex was asked by Glenn's wife Helen to lead the new Glenn Miller Orchestra, which was to be revived by the Glenn Miller organization, after the loss of Glenn and the end of the war. It was 1946 and the world had been without a Glenn Miller Orchestra for only a few months the last performance took place at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., before President Truman and Generals Dwight D. Eisenhower and "Hap Arnold. late in 1945. Tex was the obvious man to front this new civilian band but of course Ray McKinley could perhaps have also been accepted by the Miller fans as the new leader. However Ray's chance came later. Tex managed to produce the true Miller AAF orchestra sound, and the only difference being his own saxophone sound which was so distinctive in the new line up. When Tex eventually dropped the strings the sound was not as good as Glenn's band in the early forties, but it was a good sound playing the Miller arrangements but easy to tell the difference between his and the Miller sound. |
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Unknown to me but shortly after Tex had died, the Tex Beneke Orchestra was back in business
led by an accomplished musician Jim Snodgrass. This is a man I know little of and so far I have not been able to hear the Orchestra under Jim's leadership but I'm sure its going to be great the only thing missing will be that unique sound of Tex Beneke's Saxophone. Good luck Jim and may the Tex Beneke Band continue for many years to come. |
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Since this page was launched Jim Snodgrass has made contact at it is hoped that I will be able to continually up date this page with details of the band and his concerts: For a profile of Jim click here: |
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The Band is Currently Touring. For concerts now performing click
here |
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Recent Tributes to Tex beneke
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Membership to Big Band Buddies Click here