11 Facts About Paul Tanner

Paul Tanner was an American musician and a member of the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

Paul Ora Warren Tanner was born on October 15,1917, in Skunk Hollow, Campbell County, Kentucky.

Paul Tanner learned to play the trombone at a reform school where his father was employed as superintendent.

Paul Tanner gained fame as a trombonist, playing with Glenn Miller and His Orchestra from 1938 to 1942, the group's entire duration.

When it disbanded, Paul Tanner joined the US Army Air Force, becoming a part of the 378th Army Service Forces Band at Ft Slocum, New York.

Paul Tanner later worked as a studio musician in Hollywood.

Paul Tanner was influential in launching UCLA's highly regarded jazz education program in 1958.

Paul Tanner then became a professor at UCLA and authored or co-authored several academic and popular histories related to jazz.

Paul Tanner developed and played the Electro-Theremin, an electronic musical instrument that mimics the sound of the theremin.

Paul Tanner died of pneumonia on February 5,2013, at the age of 95.

Paul Tanner was the fourth-to-last surviving member of the Glenn Miller Orchestra, being surpassed by bassist Trigger Alpert, who died ten months later, trombonist Nat Peck, who died in 2015, and trumpeter Ray Anthony, who is living.