Davies Symphony Hall (San Francisco, CA)
SFJAZZ presents a 1930s-style "music battle" between two of the swing era's greatest big bands. The Glenn Miller Orchestra and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra have both outlived their legendary founders, playing live before packed houses around the world. They collide in this friendly but hard-fought competition, playing classics like "In the Mood" and "I'll Never Smile Again."
Event summary prepared by the Goldstar Editorial Team.
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The last date listed for SFJAZZ's Battle of the Bands was Sunday May 24, 2009 / 7:00pm. (view all dates)
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If you like swing music and its golden era, this was paradise for you. Fabulous venue, snappily dressed crowd, a bit of swing dancing, and superb orchestras engaged in a good-natured "battle" with each other (except when they combined for a few boffo numbers). I have to give the nod to the Glenn Miller Orchestra by a whisker, but only because that band had more recognizable material (e.g., timeless classics like Moonlight Serenade, Chattanooga Cho-Cho and a bring-down-the-house rendition of In The Mood that even had the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and its octogenarian leader snapping fingers and clapping along with the crowd). I'm really glad I chose to attend this one.
Fantastic night. We had 2nd tier tickets, which I expected to be nosebleeds, but were in the front on the left. We could actually see great, down to the toe-tapping of the ancient Tommy Dorsey bandleader. The will call line was hard to believe - wrapped around the block - but we got there 5 min before 7pm and only missed the introduction and a few minutes of the 1st song. The venue is beautiful, the music was to die for... wished it went on longer :) So glad Goldstar is around to help me attend events like these.
Wonderful music. The bands were amazing.
The seats we got were not together; one was in back of the other. I think that's odd. It also took us over a half-hour to get our tickets through will-call, so we missed the beginning of the show (which I thought was strange, because they should hold the start of the show until the line caused by the box office's delay was handled). I may have to think twice about getting tickets through Goldstar for an event at the Symphony again.
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Completed in September, 1980 after more than two years of construction, Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall is the home of the San Francisco Symphony.
During the summer of 1992, Davies Symphony Hall underwent a major renovation, enhancing its acoustics to ensure an even better musical experience, and making an already stunning interior more beautiful still.
The San Francisco Symphony's home owes its
<p>A double-barreled blast from the past brings together two of the Swing Era’s most beloved orchestras in an affectionate—but fiercely contested—battle of the bands. Trombonist Glenn Miller led the most popular orchestra of World War II until his death in a plane crash in December 1944. The Miller family re-formed the band in 1956, and it’s been on the road ever since preserving the sweet swing sound exemplified by smash hits like “In The Mood,” “Moonlight Serenade” and “Tuxedo Junction.”</p> <p>The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra has carried on the great legacy of the Sentimental Gentleman of Swing since the trombonist’s death in 1956, a legacy that includes launching the career of Frank Sinatra. The Dorsey and Miller orchestras first faced off at last year’s Montreal International Jazz Festival. For the highly anticipated rematch the two bands will share the stage, fighting it out for top honors with their enduring repertoires.</p>
SFJAZZ presents a wealth of year-round programs, including the internationally acclaimed San Francisco Jazz Festival, the SFJAZZ Spring Season and numerous community outreach and education programs. Founded in 1983 under the name of Jazz in the City, the organization adopted its new identity as SFJAZZ in late 1999, in recognition of its expansion from seasonal music presenter to year-round arts institution. All SFJAZZ programs reflect a spirit of artistic exploration, embracing the full breadth of jazz and its related musics; emphasize thematic programming, with tributes to jazz masters and celebrations of particular musical instruments, trends or styles; and strive to instill enthusiasm for jazz among wider audiences.