Maurice Purtill
Encyclopedia
Maurice "Moe" Purtill was an American drummer
who is best known today as Glenn Miller
's featured drummer from 1939 to 1942.
Born in Huntington, New York
, Purtill dropped out of high school and started out as a freelance drummer in New York Studios. At the age of 20, he would then go on to play with Red Norvo
at the beginning of 1936. Purtill's big break came when he played in Glenn Miller's first (and unsuccessful) band in December 1937. Purtill then went on to play with Tommy Dorsey
until 1938. After his stint with Dorsey, he joined Miller on April 6, 1939 where he remained until September 27, 1942 when Miller broke up his band to join the Army. Purtill appeared on virtually all of Miller's hit records.
While with Miller, he appeared in two films, Sun Valley Serenade
(1941), and Orchestra Wives
(1942).
After the breakup of Miller's band in 1942, Purtill went on to play with Kay Kyser
until 1944, he then joined the Navy and entered World War II. After his discharge, he played briefly, in 1946, with the reformed Glenn Miller Orchestra
directed by Tex Beneke
.
Purtill went on to record in the studio on various projects. He would sometimes participate in a few Miller retrospective projects, although it was said Purtill did not like to discuss his times in the band. He was good friends with well known drummer Buddy Rich
, bassist Trigger Alpert
and saxophonist Jack Palmer. Purtill resided in New York City until the early 1970s, when he relocated to Sarasota, Florida
.
Purtill was married twice; the first time was to little known jazz singer Nancy Flake. Together they had two children, John and William (Bill) Purtill. Nancy Flake Purtill died in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on December 15, 1968. He remarried in 1970 to Lida Pavlik, and together they had a son, Tom Purtill, born June 17, 1973. The couple moved to Fair Lawn, New Jersey
. Moe Purtill retired in 1978. He died at Valley Hospital located in Ridgewood, New Jersey
.
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
who is best known today as Glenn Miller
Glenn Miller
Alton Glenn Miller was an American jazz musician , arranger, composer, and bandleader in the swing era. He was one of the best-selling recording artists from 1939 to 1943, leading one of the best known "Big Bands"...
's featured drummer from 1939 to 1942.
Born in Huntington, New York
Huntington, New York
The Town of Huntington is one of ten towns in Suffolk County, New York, USA. Founded in 1653, it is located on the north shore of Long Island in northwestern Suffolk County, with Long Island Sound to its north and Nassau County adjacent to the west. Huntington is part of the New York metropolitan...
, Purtill dropped out of high school and started out as a freelance drummer in New York Studios. At the age of 20, he would then go on to play with Red Norvo
Red Norvo
Red Norvo was one of jazz's early vibraphonists, known as "Mr. Swing". He helped establish the xylophone, marimba and later the vibraphone as viable jazz instruments...
at the beginning of 1936. Purtill's big break came when he played in Glenn Miller's first (and unsuccessful) band in December 1937. Purtill then went on to play with Tommy Dorsey
Tommy Dorsey
Thomas Francis "Tommy" Dorsey, Jr. was an American jazz trombonist, trumpeter, composer, and bandleader of the Big Band era. He was known as "The Sentimental Gentleman of Swing", due to his smooth-toned trombone playing. He was the younger brother of bandleader Jimmy Dorsey...
until 1938. After his stint with Dorsey, he joined Miller on April 6, 1939 where he remained until September 27, 1942 when Miller broke up his band to join the Army. Purtill appeared on virtually all of Miller's hit records.
While with Miller, he appeared in two films, Sun Valley Serenade
Sun Valley Serenade
Sun Valley Serenade is a 1941 musical film starring Sonja Henie, John Payne, Glenn Miller, Milton Berle, and Lynn Bari. It features The Glenn Miller Orchestra as well as dancing by The Nicholas Brothers and Dorothy Dandridge, performing "Chattanooga Choo Choo", which was nominated for an Academy...
(1941), and Orchestra Wives
Orchestra Wives
Orchestra Wives is a 1942 American musical film by 20th Century Fox starring Ann Rutherford, George Montgomery, and Glenn Miller. The film was the second and last film to feature The Glenn Miller Orchestra, and is notable among the many swing era musicals because its plot is more serious and...
(1942).
After the breakup of Miller's band in 1942, Purtill went on to play with Kay Kyser
Kay Kyser
James Kern Kyser was a popular bandleader and radio personality of the 1930s and 1940s.-Early years:He was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, the son of pharmacists Paul Bynum Kyser and Emily Royster Kyser. Editor Vermont C. Royster was his cousin...
until 1944, he then joined the Navy and entered World War II. After his discharge, he played briefly, in 1946, with the reformed Glenn Miller Orchestra
Glenn Miller Orchestra
The Glenn Miller Orchestra was originally formed in 1938 by Glenn Miller. It was arranged around a clarinet and tenor saxophone playing melody, while three other saxophones played the harmony...
directed by Tex Beneke
Tex Beneke
Gordon Lee Beneke , professionally known as Tex Beneke, was an American saxophonist, singer, and bandleader. His career is a history of associations with bandleader Glenn Miller and former musicians and singers who worked with Miller. His band is also associated with the careers of Eydie Gorme...
.
Purtill went on to record in the studio on various projects. He would sometimes participate in a few Miller retrospective projects, although it was said Purtill did not like to discuss his times in the band. He was good friends with well known drummer Buddy Rich
Buddy Rich
Bernard "Buddy" Rich was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. Rich was billed as "the world's greatest drummer" and was known for his virtuosic technique, power, groove, and speed.-Early life:...
, bassist Trigger Alpert
Trigger Alpert
Herman "Trigger" Alpert is an American jazz double-bassist. He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana.Alpert attended Indiana University in the late 1930s and moved to New York City, where he played with Alvino Rey in 1940 and with Glenn Miller soon after...
and saxophonist Jack Palmer. Purtill resided in New York City until the early 1970s, when he relocated to Sarasota, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
.
Purtill was married twice; the first time was to little known jazz singer Nancy Flake. Together they had two children, John and William (Bill) Purtill. Nancy Flake Purtill died in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on December 15, 1968. He remarried in 1970 to Lida Pavlik, and together they had a son, Tom Purtill, born June 17, 1973. The couple moved to Fair Lawn, New Jersey
Fair Lawn, New Jersey
Fair Lawn is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States and a suburban municipality in the New York City Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 32,457. Fair Lawn was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March...
. Moe Purtill retired in 1978. He died at Valley Hospital located in Ridgewood, New Jersey
Ridgewood, New Jersey
Ridgewood is a village in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the village population was 24,958. Ridgewood is an affluent suburban bedroom community of New York City, located approximately northwest of Midtown Manhattan.The Village of Ridgewood was...
.