Jazz Articles about Marcus Miller

About Marcus Miller

Extended Analysis

When Grover Washington, Jr. passed away in 1999 the jazz world lost one of its most successful and talented creators, and in his wake a slew of saxophonists have stepped up to fill the void. None have. Philadelphia jazz deejay Bob Perkins said, of Washington, a native of the City of Brotherly Love, “He was the originator of smooth jazz, and all the rest--Najee, Kenny G--followed him."It is absolutely true that Washington was, along with George Benson, one ...

Live Review

Marcus Miller and Mustapha Baqbou at Essaouira Festival 2014

by Mehdi El Mouden
July 11, 2014

Marcus Miller and Mustapha Baqbou Place Moulay El Hassan Essaouira Festival Essaouira, Morocco June 14, 2014 On Saturday a rebirth was being prepared at Essaouira Festival. The most awaited artist of the festival, bassist/composer Marcus Miller was going to play with accomplished gnaoua vocalist and guembri player, Mustapha Baqbou. At the conference room, and on his birthday, Miller confessed that he felt not the least uncomfortable about this fusion. To this end, he explained ...

One LP

Marcus Miller: Miles Davis, Milestones

by William Ellis
June 7, 2013

Miles at his height in the '50s before jazz took another turn, Milestones (Columbia, 1958) was--along with the other Miles records of this period--really at the height of the elegant era of jazz. Then it went somewhere else that was equally amazing. But I really love the combination of soulfulness and intelligence with which these guys played--John Coltrane and Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe [Jones], Cannonball Adderley and Miles. Just an unbelievable group, and Philly Joe and ...

Extended Analysis

The Complete Arista Albums Collection

by John Kelman
December 14, 2012

When fusion first emerged in the late 1960s/early '70s with artists like trumpeter Miles Davis, pianist Chick Corea and guitarist John McLaughlin, the emphasis was on guitar and keyboard heavy lineups like Return to Forever and Mahavishnu Orchestra, with an equally strong predilection for the intensity and volume of rock and a kind of thundering funk that was different than the kind of music coming from R&B and soul artists like Stevie Wonder and Earth, Wind & Fire. Parallel to ...

Album Review

Marcus Miller: Renaissance

Read "Renaissance" reviewed by John Kelman

by John Kelman
December 4, 2012

Some things change, other things stay the same. Marcus Miller--producer and performer with everyone from soul singer Luther Vandross and pianist Herbie Hancock to guitarist George Benson and Miles Davis, composing and producing the trumpeter's late period classic Tutu (Warner Bros., 1986)--has been releasing solo albums since 1983, but it was with The Sun Don't Lie (PRA, 1993) and Tales (PRA, 1994) that the bassist/bass clarinetist established a modus operandi that has served him well in the ensuing decades. Renaissance ...

Profile

Marcus Miller: Renaissance Man

by Pheralyn Dove
December 4, 2012

[Editor's Note: On Sunday, November 25, 2012, All About Jazz learned that Marcus Miller sustained non-life-threatening injuries during a bus crash on the A2 highway in central Switzerland. Unfortunately, the driver was killed in the accident. Online sources report that the bus was carrying 13 people, including two drivers and the 11 members Miller's band. The cause of the crash was not immediately known. AAJ sends condolences to the victim's family and loved ones, as well as healing thoughts for ...

Album Review

Marcus Miller: Renaissance

Read "Renaissance" reviewed by AAJ Italy Staff

by AAJ Italy Staff
September 6, 2012

Renaissance è il nuovo lavoro del bassista Marcus Miller, che torna a incidere un album in studio a quattro anni di distanza dal precedente Marcus. Una prova attesa con molta curiosità dalla critica e dalle schiere di fan che lo seguono con religioso interesse, nella quale possiamo trovare otto nuove composizioni e quattro rivisitazioni, tra le quali I'll Be There dei Jackson Five. Lo stile inconfondibile di Miller pervade l'intera registrazione, caratterizzando introduzioni e melodie, strofe di passaggio e primi ...