Top 10 Quotes & Sayings by Glenn Miller

Explore popular quotes and sayings by an American musician Glenn Miller.

Last updated on April 14, 2025.

Alton Glenn Miller was an American big band trombonist, arranger, composer, and bandleader in the Swing era. He was the best-selling recording artist from 1939 to 1942, leading one of the best-known big bands. Miller's recordings include "In the Mood", "Moonlight Serenade", "Pennsylvania 6-5000", "Chattanooga Choo Choo", "A String of Pearls", "At Last", "(I've Got a Gal In) Kalamazoo", "American Patrol", "Tuxedo Junction", "Elmer's Tune", "Little Brown Jug", and "Anvil Chorus". In just four years, Miller scored 16 number-one records and 69 top-10 hits—more than Elvis Presley and the Beatles did in their careers.

American - Musician | March 1, 1904 - December 15, 1944

Source: Wikipedia

By giving the public a rich and full melody, distinctly arranged and well played, all the time creating new tone colors and patterns, I feel we have a better chance of being successful. I want a kick to my band, but I don't want the rhythm to hog the spotlight.

Glenn Miller

I haven't a great jazz band, and I don't want one.

Glenn Miller

I thought I had swell ideas, and wonderful musicians, but the hell of it, no one else did.

Glenn Miller

Why do you judge me as a musician, John? All I'm interested in is making money.

Glenn Miller

I haven't a great Jazz band and I don't want one.

Glenn Miller

We didn't come here to set any fashions in music. We merely came to bring a much-needed touch of home to some lads who have been here a couple of years.

Glenn Miller

A band ought to have a sound all of its own. It ought to have a personality.

Glenn Miller

We can speak our honest minds without compromise and without censorship and to each other and to our people. We can take our message directly to our people.

Glenn Miller

I haven't got a great jazz band and I don't want one. Some of the critics, Down Beat's among them, point their fingers at us and charge us with forsaking real jazz . . . It's all in what you define as 'real jazz.' It happens that to our ears harmony comes first. A dozen colored bands have a better beat than mine. Our band stresses harmony.

Glenn Miller

We leaders are criticized for a lot of things. It's always true after a band gets up there and is recognized by the public.

Glenn Miller