Mainline Big Band - Background and other Information
In 1979 the Bedford trumpeter Geoff Allen decided that, since Bedford had close links with Glenn Miller, the town should have its own Big Band. The result was the birth of the MAINLINE Big Band. The band performed regularly in the local area and and eventually its popularity spread and the band was invited to play at the Savoy Hotel in London.
Today the band plays at public events, private functions, birthday parties, weddings and dances.
The band has also played at the US Air Force Bases at Chicksands, Alconbury, Molesworth and Croughton and at the annual Glenn Miller festival at Twinwoods from where Miller flew, sadly for the last time. The famous Old Warden Air Museum at Shuttleworth has hosted the band during their Air Shows in the summer.
This photo was taken at the Shuttleworth Air Show, Old Warden
This photo was taken at a time when the uniform was completely different
The Mainline was formed with the intention of performing and perpetuating the wonderful music of the big band era
and this aim is being upheld to this day.
The library spans some 100 years and includes the works of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Benny Goodman,
Artie Shaw, Frank Sinatra and even newer artists such as Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Stevie Wonder and Chuck Mangione.
The band has a Safeguarding Policy. This can be provided on request.