Joe Garland
b. 15 August 1903, Norfolk, Virginia, USA, d. 21 April 1977. After studying formally and playing clarinet and saxophones in concert bands, Garland moved into danceband and jazz work under Elmer Snowden, Leon Abbey, Jelly Roll Morton, the Mills Blue Rhythm Band, Lucky Millinder and Duke Ellington. In the late '30s and through most of the '40s he freelanced with various bands, including two spells as a member of Louis Armstrong's big band where his skilled musicianship made him invaluable. In due course he became musical director of the band, a position he also held with Earl Hines in the late '40s. In the early '50s Garland ended his full-time involvement in music, turning instead to what became a very successful career in photography. Highly respected by fellow musicians, Garland is best remembered today for two of his compositions: Leap Frog, which was recorded by Armstrong in 1941, and became the theme tune of Les Brown and his Band Of Renown, while In The Mood was Joe Loss's theme and a hit record for Glenn Miller.