Best-known as Glenn Miller's drummer, Moe Purtill was a solid accompanist, although he tended to be a bit bombastic during his solo features with Miller. He started off freelancing in New York before having a stint with Red Norvo and Mildred Bailey from 1936-37. Purtill was in Miller's first unsuccessful orchestra (1937), played with Tommy Dorsey (1938-39) and then was with Miller during his civilian band's glory years (1939-42), appearing on virtually all of Miller's hit records. He played with Kay Kyser (1943-44), served in the Navy and played briefly with Tex Beneke after the war, but mostly worked in the studios, sometimes participating in the various Miller reunion projects. Purtill, who played relatively little jazz in the 1950s and '60s, never led a recording date of his own. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi