A native of Toronto Canada, saxophonist and composer Pete Mills’ discography includes 4 solo titles, with his most recent, 2014’s Sweet Shadow. The CD is released on Vancouver based Cellar Live Records and features drummer Matt Wilson (who is also a part of Mills’ disc Art and Architecture), his long time collaborator, guitarist Pete McCann, bassist Martin Wind and pianist Erik Augis. Mills 2007 release, Fresh Spin on the Summit Records label features B3 organist Tony Monaco and Pete McCann. It received enthusiastic reviews in both DownBeat (3 ½ Stars) and JazzTimes magazines and was on the Jazz Week top 50-radio chart for 8 weeks. His 2004’s release on Summit, Art and Architecture (4 stars All Music Guide), features drummer Matt Wilson, bassist Dennis Irwin and Pete McCann. A top 50 Jazz Week radio release, it also received airplay on the MTV networks. His first solo release was the critically acclaimed, Momentum (COJAZZ Records). As a sideman he appears on over a dozen CDs including those by The Columbus Jazz Orchestra, saxophonist Chad Eby, the eclectic ensemble Madrugada, guitarist Stan Smith, The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and The Paul Ferguson Jazz Orchestra. As a soloist Mills works throughout the U.S and Canada. In Columbus Ohio he performs as a featured soloist with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra (Byron Stripling Musical Director). Educated at the Eastman School of Music and the University of North Texas, Mills has received Grants from the Canada Council and was a recipient of the North Carolina Arts Council Jazz Composer’s Fellowship. In addition to his performing, Mills teaches saxophone, improvisation and directs the jazz ensemble at Denison University in Granville, Ohio.
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Pete Mills: Music on a 'high level' performer recieving critical acclaim for his compositions." —Matt
Warner, Dayton Daily News
"It's nice to hear a mainstream set hit the ground running like this. Saxophonist Pete Mills opens his Art
and Architecture with the frictionless propulsion of “Dot Com,” a tune that zips forward on the rhythm
section momentum of a sleek monorail riding a cushion of magnetism, on a workout that lets you know
that straight ahead jazz is alive and well, juiced up even, in the hands of a younger generation." — Dan
McClenaghan, All About Jazz
"Columbus saxophonist Pete Mills has released his second CD on the Summit Label and it’s a real
winner. His cohorts on the record include guitarist Pete McCann, bassist Dennis Irwin and drummer
Matt Wilson �" all in-demand New York players, along with Columbus piano legend Bobby Floyd." —
Don Henke, Dayton City Paper
Read more
Pete Mills: Music on a 'high level' performer recieving critical acclaim for his compositions." —Matt
Warner, Dayton Daily News
"It's nice to hear a mainstream set hit the ground running like this. Saxophonist Pete Mills opens his Art
and Architecture with the frictionless propulsion of “Dot Com,” a tune that zips forward on the rhythm
section momentum of a sleek monorail riding a cushion of magnetism, on a workout that lets you know
that straight ahead jazz is alive and well, juiced up even, in the hands of a younger generation." — Dan
McClenaghan, All About Jazz
"Columbus saxophonist Pete Mills has released his second CD on the Summit Label and it’s a real
winner. His cohorts on the record include guitarist Pete McCann, bassist Dennis Irwin and drummer
Matt Wilson �" all in-demand New York players, along with Columbus piano legend Bobby Floyd." —
Don Henke, Dayton City Paper
"Straightahead jazz combines pleasant memories with fresh energy when it's created by a unit such as
Pete Mills' quintet. His lovely tenor saxophone tone soothes while it cascades around the room. The
session remains peaceful and quiet throughout. Mills stretches out on up-tempo romps and lays back
casually for lyrical ballads." —Jim Santella, All About Jazz
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