Jazz Articles about Marcus Miller

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Miller/Petrucciani/Lagr: Dreyfus Night in Paris

by Eric J. Iannelli
January 2, 2004

Dubbed “a 'Massey Hall' for the modern era"—is 1953 really such ancient history?— Dreyfus Night in Paris is actually a performance that took place nearly ten years ago and is only just seeing its release. The “Massey Hall" assertion is debatable given that the musicians here, though excellent, don't exactly match the calibre of Bird (aka Charlie Chan), Diz, Bud Powell, Mingus and Max Roach, but there can be no doubt that the set is impressive, full of solid playing ...

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Marcus Miller: The Ozell Tapes

by C. Michael Bailey
April 8, 2003

Marcus Miller is the Paul Chambers of the electric bass. His recordings possess the same bass- leadership as Mr. PC, reflecting the spirit in the title of one of Chambers’ 1950s Blue Note releases, Bass on Top. Miller mixes a potent brew of originals and modern jazz classics to produce a sumptuously funky meal of what is certainly not smooth jazz. To my conservative ears, Miller simply picked up where he left off with Miles on Tutu. He is most ...

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Marcus Miller: M2 (M-Squared)

by Dave Hughes
September 1, 2001

For well over two decades, Marcus Miller has firmly established himself on the jazz/funk recording scene as funk bassist extraordinare and producer for the likes of Miles Davis, David Sanborn, and Chaka Khan. He’s also proficient on a wide variety of instruments, including bass clarinet, keyboards, saxophones, and vibraphone, and is a competent composer to boot. He’s been so in demand as a producer and performer for other people that he has recorded under his own name only sporadically.

All ...

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Marcus Miller: M2

by Dave Nathan
June 1, 2001

For his first studio album since 1964, Marcus Miller has laid out a program of nine originals and five jazz standards. Seeking to be the new Rahaan Roland Kirk, Miller plays a large number of instruments. I guess he plays them well because it's difficult to single out any through the electronic sheets of sounds being thrown at the listener. The album is promoted as having equal portions of jazz, funk and soul thus offering something for everyone. The fact ...

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Marcus Miller: M2

by AAJ Staff
May 1, 2001

Marcus Miller is one of those crossover artists whose influence is felt in numerous media, including movie sound tracks like Boomerang and Rush Hour. Lest we forget all of the innovations that Miller has created, his new M-Squared album enumerates in a soulful and electronically enhanced style the multitudinous elements that comprise his immediately identifiable sound.First and foremost is Miller's electric bass work, which obviously consists of more than time-keeping. As one of the most important contemporary bass ...

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David Sanborn: Inside

by Ian Nicolson
May 1, 1999

Since the days when he left his hometown St Louis to play for the Butterfield Blues Band during the sixties Blues boom in California, Sanborn has worked hard at staying top dog among the LA studio sessioneers - and succeeded.He has also commuted effortlessly between sophisticated Jazzpop solo albums stressing his distinctive alto tone and R'n'B roots, and the occasional full-ahead Jazz outing - like 1990's Another Hand, or Upfront a year or two later. This time he's ...

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Marcus Miller: Live and More

by John Sharpe
May 1, 1998

Contemporary session ace Mark Miller has been involved with some very high profile jazz folks over the past 20 years. Miles Davis utilized his talents to put a high gloss sheen on his fusion efforts of the late 80's. Surprisingly, Miller has released very few albums as a leader. Live and More treats his fans to 10 cuts of funky jazz/rock highlighted by Miller's slappin' bass lines. Two of the tracks were done in the studio with the remainder recorded ...