Ron Miles
A resident of Denver since he was 11, he began playing the trumpet seriously in junior high school and studied music at the University of Denver (1981-1985) and the Manhattan School of Music (1986). Miles says that living in Denver has given him an appreciation for a broad array of musical styles that he might not have acquired elsewhere. “Country and Western music, Latin, jazz, and rock are all popular here, so you find yourself trying out a lot of ideas with other musicians and gaining a healthy respect for the music,” he explains.
Ron Miles was widely recognized as a musical director and arranger with the release of Ginger Baker’s Coward of the County (Atlantic 1999). His compositions anchor that record and highlight the varied influences from which Ron draws inspiration. Hailed as an inventive composer and gifted trumpeter on his solo releases, Ron cruised through the 1990s with a series of well-received releases on Gramavision (My Cruel Heart, Woman’s Day) and Capri (Witness, Ron Miles Trio).
In 2002 Ron slowed it down for a quiet, intimate recording with friend and master jazz guitarist Bill Frisell. Heaven again showcases Ron’s talent as an arranger, particularly on Hank Williams’ “Your Cheatin’ Heart” and Bob Dylan’s “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” (which Ron heard for the first time in the sessions!) According to Bill Frisell, “What is so exciting about Ron is that he really has his own voice. It seems like everything that is going on right now is either very conservative or it rejects everything. Ron has found a way to include everything and not reject things, and still be his own person.” Miles said of his playing with Bill, “I think we share a fondness for striking melody, patience and the importance of individual timbre.”
This new release is a Double album. Stone and Blossom feature new songs by Ron, as well as outstanding recordings from some of Denver’s finest musicians, including Madeleine Peyroux. Blossom also features a cover of I Woke Up In Love This Morning by the Partridge Family, and I’ll Be There by The Jackson Five.
Tags
Album Review
- Quiver by Mark F. Turner
- Circuit Rider by Vincenzo Roggero
- I Am A Man by Dan Bilawsky
- Rainbow Sign by Paul Rauch
Catching Up With
Radio & Podcasts
Album Review
- Rainbow Sign by Mario Calvitti
Radio & Podcasts
- Ron Miles: Custodian of Beauty, Part 1
- Ron Miles: Custodian of Beauty, Part 2
- Ron Miles and Other Trumpeters plus Others
June 08, 2018
Joshua Redman's New Album, "Still Dreaming"—Featuring Ron Miles,...
October 14, 2014
Released Today: "Circuit Rider" Feat. Ron Miles, Bill Frisell And Brian...
May 06, 2009
Hashem Assadullahi Returns from Thailand for Release of Debut Album...
August 20, 2008
Ron Miles & Bill Frisell Two's a (Quietly Harmonious) Crowd
March 10, 2007
Some Wonderful Moment Featuring Ron Miles
March 12, 2003
The Westerlies
band/orchestraCODE Quartet
band/orchestraPhotos
Album Discography
Three Ruminations
From: Seven BridgesBy Ron Miles
Fall Dog Bombs the Moon
From: Seven BridgesBy Ron Miles