Glen Gray, born Glenn Gray Knoblauch on June 7, 1900, in Roanoke, Illinois, was an influential American jazz saxophonist and the leader of the Casa Loma Orchestra. Gray's early life saw him graduate from Roanoke High School in 1917, where he earned the nickname "Spike" and excelled in sports. He briefly attended the American Conservatory of Music in 1921 before pursuing a career in music, playing with various orchestras in Detroit from 1924 to 1929.

The Casa Loma Orchestra, originally a collective without a designated leader, gained prominence in the mid-1930s with their performances on the Camel Caravan radio program. Gray became the official leader in 1937, and under his guidance, the orchestra became renowned for its superb musicianship and danceable swing music. The band recorded over 450 sides for labels such as OKeh, Brunswick, Victor, and Decca, and was known for its versatility in playing both hot jazz and sweet ballads.

Throughout its career, the Casa Loma Orchestra featured notable musicians like guitarist Herb Ellis and trumpeter Bobby Hackett. The band ceased touring by 1950, and Gray retired to Massachusetts, where he continued to record with studio musicians for Capitol Records until his death. Glen Gray passed away from lymphoma on August 23, 1963, in Plymouth, Massachusetts, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneering figure in the swing era.