Paul Tanner

tanner+February 6, 2013: Our beloved Dr. Paul Tanner died today. This is my favorite photo of him, hanging with the young players (drummer Greg Parnell, saxophonists James Guffey and Derryk Ludwig, trumpeter Jeff Wolbach). He played trombone for Glenn Miller during the civilian band years, played with Les Brown, Henry Mancini, Nelson Riddle, first trombone for American Broadcasting Company, Theramin on “Good Vibrations,” “Distinguished Professor” at UCLA, author, lecturer. Glenn Miller called him Lightnin’ because he was not fast, hailing from Skunk Hollow, KY. Glenn hired him when Paul was 17 and playing in a strip joint that Glenn and Helen visited after a gig. Always supportive of the modern Glenn Miller Orchestra, Paul was a national treasure.