Aug. 1 has officially been dubbed "Jim Smale Day" in Pottstown borough.

The designation, announced July 8 by Mayor Sharon Thomas, coincides with the Glenn Miller Orchestra’s return to Sunnybrook.

Smale started out as a trombone player for the Pottstown High School Band, and later went on to play with professional groups, including the Glenn Miller Orchestra. He was featured on the Four Freshmen “Five Trombones” album and played back-up for artists like Johnnie Ray, Chubby Checker, and Gladys Knight and The Pips

Former classmate, Dick Powell, described by himself as a former “teammate, classmate, and friend” of the late Smale, was instrumental in planning the tribute to the trombonist.