When Captain Glenn Miller unveiled his new service orchestra in 1943, it was immediately evident that this was going to be much more than a copy of his civilian band in uniform. Gone was the standard dance band format - in its place a mighty concert orchestra of majestic proportions and with a repertoire to match. For his new arranging team, Captain Miller appointed Jerry Gray as his right-hand man. Jerry was already firmly established as one of the leading arrangers of the day. He had come to the fore with Artie Shaw for whom he scored “Begin the Beguine” - the record that propelled the Shaw band to national prominence – and other big hits like “The Carioca” and “Indian Love Call” When Artie Shaw suddenly quit in 1939, Glenn Miller moved swiftly to secure Jerry’s services as his civilian band’s Chief Arranger. Jerry went on to score some of Glenn’s greatest all-time hits, including “Chattanooga Choo Choo”, “Kalamazoo” and “American Patrol” as well as composing originals such as “Pennsylvania 65000”, “Caribbean Clipper” and “A String of Pearls”. Enlisted into military service in May 1943, Pfc (later Sgt) Jerry Gray swiftly rejoined his former boss as Chief Arranger for what will be forever remembered as the Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band.