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Glen Gray

1906 – 1963

American musician

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About Glen Gray

Lived 1906 – 1963 (aged 57). Glen Gray was an American bandleader, conductor, jazz musician and saxophonist.

Glenn Gray Knoblauch (June 7, 1900 – August 23, 1963), known professionally as Glen Gray, was an American jazz saxophonist and leader of the Casa Loma Orchestra.

Early years Gray was born to Lurdie P. and Agnes (Gray) Knoblauch in Roanoke, Illinois, United States. He had an older sister. His widowed mother married George H. DeWilde, a coal miner, and moved her family to Roanoke. Gray graduated from Roanoke High School, in 1917 where he played basketball and acquired his nickname, "Spike".

Career Gray attended the American Conservatory of Music in 1921 but left during his first year to go to Peoria, Illinois, to play with George Haschert's orchestra. From 1924 to 1929, he played with several orchestras in Detroit, Michigan.

Never in a Million Years (vocal by Kenny Sargent) (1937) You Go to My Head (vocal by Kenny Sargent) (1938) I Cried for You (vocal by Kenny Sargent) (1939) This Night (Will Be My Souvenir) (vocal Clyde Burke) (1939) Heaven Can Wait (vocal Clyde Burke) (1939) Sunrise Serenade (Frankie Carle on piano) (1939) Tears from My Inkwell (vocal by Kenny Sargent) (1939) A Lover's Lullaby (vocal by Kenny Sargent) (1940) No Name Jive (vocal by Kenny Sargent) (1940) One Dozen Roses (vocal by Pee Wee Hunt) (1942) Don't Get Around Much Anymore (vocal by Kenny Sargent & LeBrun Sisters) (1943) My Heart Tells Me (vocal Eugenie Baird) 1943 My Shining Hour (vocal Eugenie Baird) 1943 Gotta Be This or That (vocal Fats Daniels) (1945)

Personal life and death Gray and his wife had one son.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
Illinois Wesleyan University
Awards
Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
Also known as
Glenn Gray Knoblauch

People in Glen Gray's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Glen Gray's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Glen Gray?

American musician (1906–1963)

When was Glen Gray born?

Glen Gray was born on 7 June 1906 in Metamora.

When did Glen Gray die?

Glen Gray died on 23 August 1963 in Plymouth.

What was Glen Gray's occupation?

Glen Gray was a bandleader, conductor, jazz musician and saxophonist.

What nationality was Glen Gray?

Glen Gray was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Glen Gray

· Wikidata: Q280103

· DBpedia: Glen Gray

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Glen Gray. https://biography.guide/glen-gray/

MLA: "Glen Gray." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/glen-gray/.

Chicago: "Glen Gray." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/glen-gray/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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