Musicians - Maurice Purtill

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	Musicians - Maurice Purtill

Maurice Purtill (May 4 1916–March 9 1994) was an American drummer who is best known today as Glenn Miller’s featured drummer from 1938 to 1942. According to Scott Yanow in his biography on Maurice Purtill, Purtill "was a solid accompanist, although he tended to be a bit bombastic during his solo features with Miller."

Born in Huntington, New York, Purtill started out as a freelance drummer in New York studios. He would then go on to play with Red Norvo in 1936. Purtill then played in Miller's first (and unsuccessful) band in 1936, then played with Tommy Dorsey until 1938. After this, he rejoined Miller, where he remained until 1942, appearing on virtually all of Miller’s hit records ("Bugle Call Rag", "Anchors Aweigh", etc.). While with Miller, he appeared in two films, Sun Valley Serenade (1941), and Orchestra Wives (1942); in the latter he got some speaking lines.

After the breakup of Miller's band in 1942, Purtill went on to play with Kay Kyser until 1944, then joined the Navy. After his discharge, he played briefly with Tex Beneke’s band. Purtill mostly recorded in the studios, where he sometimes participated in various Miller reunion projects.

Purtill never led a recording date of his own. He died in 1994 after a long illness.

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