Mulgrew Miller (August 13, 1955 – May 29, 2013) was an American jazz pianist. Miller's style was influential in jazz during the 1980s and 90s, and in the tradition of Oscar Peterson, McCoy Tyner, and Kenny Barron.[1]
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Early life[]
Miller had a childhood filled with early musical experiences, mostly playing gospel music in his church and R&B and blues at dances. Miller was interested in jazz piano, and established a trio in high school that would play at cocktail parties. Miller admitted that they did not really know what they were doing and were merely "approaching jazz". Miller is said to have set his mind definitely to becoming a jazz pianist after seeing Oscar Peterson on television.[2]
Career[]
Miller recorded more than 500 albums as an accompanying pianist with major jazz figures. He began his career with Betty Carter (1980), Woody Shaw (1981-1983), Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers (1983-1986), and Tony Williams (1986-1994). He made over 15 albums under his own name throughout his career including four albums with Derrick Hodge (bass) and Karriem Riggins (drums) (both on the label MAXJAZZ): Live At Yoshi's Vol. 1 (2004), Live At Yoshi's Vol. 2 (2005), Live At The Kennedy Center Vol. 1 (2006), and Live At The Kennedy Center Vol. 2 (2007). [1]
Later life[]
On May 20, 2006, Miller was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Performing Arts at Lafayette College's 171st Commencement Exercises.
Miller spent the last years of his life in Easton, Pennsylvania. He was the Director of Jazz Studies at William Paterson University and the Artist in Residence at Lafayette College for 2008-2009. His last working trio consisted of Ivan Taylor on bass and Rodney Green on drums.
Miller died as a result of a stroke in Lehigh Hospital on May 29, 2013. He is survived by his wife Tanya and children Leilani and Darnell.[3]
Discography[]
As leader[]
- 1985: Keys to the City (Landmark Records)
- 1986: Work (Landmark)
- 1987: Wingspan (Landmark)
- 1988: The Countdown (Landmark)
- 1990: From Day to Day (Landmark)
- 1991: Time and Again (Landmark)
- 1992: Landmarks (Landmark)
- 1992: Hand In Hand (Novus Records)
- 1993: With Our Own Eyes (Novus)
- 1995: Getting to Know You (Novus)
- 2002: The Sequel (Maxjazz)
- 2004: Live At Yoshi's, Vol. 1 (Maxjazz)
- 2005: Live at Yoshi's, Vol. 2 (Maxjazz)
- 2006: Live at the Kennedy Center Vol. 1 (Maxjazz)
- 2007: Live at the Kennedy Center: Vol. 2 (Maxjazz)
- 2010: Solo (Space Time Records)
As sideman[]
With Art Blakey
- New York Scene (1984)
- Blue Night (1985)
- Live at Kimball's (1985)
- Live at Sweet Basil (1985)
With Stefon Harris
- A Cloud of Red Dust (1998)
With Benny Golson
- Live (1995)
With Betty Carter
- It's Not About the Melody (1992)
With Ron Carter
- The Golden Striker (2003)
With Kenny Garrett
- Introducing Kenny Garrett (1985)
- Garrett 5 (1989)
- African Exchange Student (1990)
- Beyond The Wall (2006)
With Antonio Hart
- For the First Time (1991)
With Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw
- Double Take (1985)
- The Eternal Triangle (1987)
With Joe Lovano
- Tenor Legacy (Blue Note, 1993)
- Quartets: Live at the Village Vanguard (Blue Note, 1995)
With Charles McPherson
- Come Play With Me (1995)
With Lewis Nash
- Jazz Museum - Tribute to Great Artists (2008)
With Nicholas Payton
- From This Moment (1994)
With Wallace Roney
- Verses (1987)
- Intuition (1988)
- The Standard Bearer (1989)
With Woody Shaw
- Live Volume 3 (1981)
- United (1981)
- Master of the Art (1982)
- Night Music (1982)
- Lotus Flower (1982)
- Time is Right (1983)
With Alex Sipiagin
- Mirages (2009)
With Terell Stafford
- New Beginnings (2003)
With Superblue
- Superblue (1988, Blue Note Records)[4]
With Myron Walden
- Hypnosis (1996)
With John Stubblefield
- Confessin' (Soul Note, 1984)
- Countin’ the Blues (Enja Records, 1987)
With Tony Williams
- Foreign Intrigue (1986)
- Civilization (1987)
- Angel Street (1988)
- Native Heart (1990)
- The Story of Neptune (1991)
- Tokyo Live (1992)
- Young At Heart (1998)
With Cassandra Wilson
- Blue Skies (JMT, 1988)
With Warren Wolf
- Incredible Jazz Vibes (2005)
- Black Wolf (2009)
With John D'Earth
- Restoration Comedy (2000)
With Pierrick Pedron
- Deep In A Dream (2007)
With Bill Mobley
- Moodscape (2007)
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 by Dan LeRoy. "Allmusic profile". Allmusic.com. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p106038/biography. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
- ↑ Allaboutjazz.com
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ Allmusic
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