Jazz-Pittsburgh.com Smooth Jazz Fusion Artist Feature:Marcus Miller - on tour performing songs from "M Squared" CD, M2 jazz music concert event informationVisit the pittsburgh smooth jazz resource and premier restaurant directory at Jazz-Pittsburgh.com, the official Smooth Jazz artist information and best Dining guide of jazz supper clubsMarcus Miller in Pittsburgh One of the hardest working, most sought after, and most influential electric bass players in the business today is the Grammy-award winning Marcus Miller.
As an A-list session player, sideman, producer, film scorer, and prolific composer, chances are you’ve listened--maybe even danced--to music exhibiting the Marcus Miller trademark sound and style that is unmistakably identifiable. He has performed and/or recorded with Miles Davis, David Sanborn, Joe Sample, Sting, Grover Washington Jr., Roberta Flack, Eric Benet, McCoy Tyner, Luther Vandross, Jackie McClean, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Kenny Garrett, Jay Z, Kirk Whalum, Bill Withers, Boney James, LL Cool J, and on, and on, and on... Known for an enormous amount of work with so many artists, Marcus Miller is probably best known for his incredible work with the legendary trumpeter and bandleader Miles Davis. Given the lead to mastermind the production process, Miller wrote, arranged, produced, and played on most of Davis’ 1986 Grammy-award winning album "Tutu". He later produced Davis’ albums "Siesta" and "Amandla". Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1959 and raised in Jamaica Queens, music quickly became an interest inspired by his musical family. His father was an amateur jazz pianist who also played organ and directed choir in church. His father’s cousin, Wynton Kelly played piano for Miles Davis. By age 14, Miller was a multi-instrumentalist proficient at clarinet, piano, voice, and especially bass. For the next few years after performing with flutist Bobbi Humphrey and keyboardist Lonnie Liston Smith, Marcus worked playing recording sessions in New York. Miller was 17 (!) when he got the gig with the house band of the Saturday Night Live show. There he met alto saxman David Sanborn who had later hired Miller to do gigs with him during the off nights and then for shows on the road opening for Al Jarreau. Hearing a demo of some of Miller’s songs, Sanborn wanted to record them. In fact, recording those songs for Sanborn became the first major gig as a producer for Miller. The recordings became David Sanborn’s "Voyeur" album which earned him [Sanborn] his first Grammy for the single "All I Need is You". This sparked a career-long alliance with the soulful saxman. Later, Miller produced Sanborn’s best chart-topping albums including "Inside" (also winning a Grammy in 2000). Since 1979, Miller has had a fruitful partnership with R/B singer, Luther Vandross. The two talents met while backing up Roberta Flack. As a producer and composer, Miller has contributed many hits to Vandross’ catalog. Hits like: "Any Love", "I’m Only Human", "Till My Baby Comes Home", "It’s Over Now", and the Marcus Miller 1991 Grammy-award winning R/B Song of the Year, "Power of Love". Miller has also produced the Crusaders, Al Jarreau, Chaka Khan, and several others. Miller has composed movie soundtracks for: Spike Lee’s "School Daze" ("Da Butt"), "Boomerang" with Eddie Murphy, "Above the Rim", "House Party", "Ladies Man", "The Brothers", and others. Miller’s latest solo offering "M²" [pronounced M Squared], took the 2002 Grammy for Best Contemporary Jazz Album! Kicking off "M²" is the Miller original, "Power", a funk tune both catchy and eclectic at the same time. Miller stretches his chops a bit as his bass playing is featured punching, thumping, and slapping out the melodies and solo. Among the other magical moments on "M²" are renditions of "Lonnie’s Lament" by the legendary saxophonist John Coltrane, "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" by bassist Charles Mingus, and the Talking Heads hit, "Burning Down the House", which Miller funkified (this should be a word!) with a little help from saxman Kenny Garrett and guitarist Hiram Bullock. A particularly magical moment is the Marcus Miller original, "Your Amazing Grace", which is based on the spiritually moving melody "Amazing Grace". It features the R/B diva Chaka Khan on vocals. Joining Marcus for the making of "M2" were artists: Herbie Hancock, Hubert Laws, Branford Marsalis, Wayne Shorter, Maceo Parker, Paul Jackson Jr., Raphael Saddiq, Chaka Khan, Kenny Garrett, and Hiram Bullock. Miller is on tour promoting "M2"! He will be in Pittsburgh (!), performing at the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild Thursday, May 1st thru Sunday, May 4th, 2003! To reserve your seats contact the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild at (412) 322-0800. Or visit www.mcgjazz.org For a plethora of information on Marcus Miller visit: www.marcusmiller.com Don't forget to sign the Jazz-Pittsburgh Guest List and receive the newsletter to stay tuned to the announcements about what’s going on when and where! Leave any comments and/or suggestions you might have in the Guest Book and spread the word by Telling a Friend! See you at the show!! Also view:
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