Marcus Miller
Born in Brooklyn in 1959 and raised in Jamaica, New York, Marcus Miller came from a musical family. He was influenced early on by his father, a church organist and choir director, as well as his musical extended family (which included the extraordinary Wynton Kelly, jazz pianist for Miles Davis during the late fifties and early sixties!). He displayed an early affinity for all types of music. By the age of thirteen, he was already proficient on the clarinet, piano, and bass guitar and had begun composing music. The bass guitar, however, was his love and by the age of fifteen, he was working regularly in New York City with various bands. Soon thereafter, he was playing bass and writing music for flutist Bobbi Humphrey and keyboardist Lonnie Liston Smith.
Miller spent the next few years as a top-call New York studio musician, working with Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack, Grover Washington Jr., Bob James, and David Sanborn, among others. He has appeared as a bassist on over 400 records including recordings by Joe Sample, McCoy Tyner, Bill Withers, Elton John, Bryan Ferry, Jay Z, and LL Cool J.
In 1981, he joined his boyhood idol Miles Davis and spent two years on the road with the fabled jazzman. "He didn't settle for anything mediocre," Miller recalls. "And this helped me develop my style. I learned from him that you have to be honest about who you are and what you do. If you follow that, you won't have problems."
Miller subsequently turned his attention to producing, his first major production being David Sanborn's Voyeur, which earned Sanborn a Grammy and turned out to be the beginning of a career-long partnership with the alto saxman. Miller later produced various other top selling albums for Sanborn including Close Up, Upfront, and 2000 Grammy winner, Inside.
For more than twenty years, Miller has also enjoyed a musical relationship with R&B legend, Luther Vandross. "We met in '79 in Roberta Flack's band and instantly connected because we were both so serious about music," Miller recalls. Over the years, Miller has contributed countless hits to Vandross' repertoire both as a producer and writer. Those songs include "Till My Baby Comes Home", "It's Over Now", "Any Love", "I'm Only Human", and "The Power of Love", which won the 1991 Grammy for R&B Song of the Year.
In 1986, Miller collaborated again with Miles Davis, producing the landmark Tutu album, the first of Davis three albums he would produce. He's also produced Al Jarreau, the Crusaders, and Chaka Khan, among others.
After spending many years as a producer and session musician, Miller focused on his solo career in late 1993 with the release of The Sun Don't Lie. 1995's Tales found Miller re-imagining the landscape of black music and its evolution over the past three decades. He released a live album, Live and More, in 1997 and debuted his first release of the new millennium, M2 ("M-squared"), in May, 2001.
In the past few years, Miller has turned his attention to film scoring, composing for "House Party" (Martin Lawrence), "Boomerang" (Eddie Murphy), "Siesta" (Ellen Barkin), "Ladies' Man" (Tim Meadows), and "The Brothers" (Morris Chestnut and D.L. Hughley). He wrote and produced the old school hit, "Da Butt", for Spike Lee's "School Daze" soundtrack. Miller further surprised people by composing and performing the score to E.B. White's "The Trumpet of the Swan." "I loved getting the opportunity to use jazz to tell a story to kids. Children have much more sophisticated ears than people give them credit for. You really don't have to play down to them. Just keep the music real."
"I like to keep things balanced, combining R&B, jazz, funk, and movie stuff to help reflect what's happening in our world. I just try to keep challenging myself to continue to grow and get better."
Miller spent the next few years as a top-call New York studio musician, working with Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack, Grover Washington Jr., Bob James, and David Sanborn, among others. He has appeared as a bassist on over 400 records including recordings by Joe Sample, McCoy Tyner, Bill Withers, Elton John, Bryan Ferry, Jay Z, and LL Cool J.
In 1981, he joined his boyhood idol Miles Davis and spent two years on the road with the fabled jazzman. "He didn't settle for anything mediocre," Miller recalls. "And this helped me develop my style. I learned from him that you have to be honest about who you are and what you do. If you follow that, you won't have problems."
Miller subsequently turned his attention to producing, his first major production being David Sanborn's Voyeur, which earned Sanborn a Grammy and turned out to be the beginning of a career-long partnership with the alto saxman. Miller later produced various other top selling albums for Sanborn including Close Up, Upfront, and 2000 Grammy winner, Inside.
For more than twenty years, Miller has also enjoyed a musical relationship with R&B legend, Luther Vandross. "We met in '79 in Roberta Flack's band and instantly connected because we were both so serious about music," Miller recalls. Over the years, Miller has contributed countless hits to Vandross' repertoire both as a producer and writer. Those songs include "Till My Baby Comes Home", "It's Over Now", "Any Love", "I'm Only Human", and "The Power of Love", which won the 1991 Grammy for R&B Song of the Year.
In 1986, Miller collaborated again with Miles Davis, producing the landmark Tutu album, the first of Davis three albums he would produce. He's also produced Al Jarreau, the Crusaders, and Chaka Khan, among others.
After spending many years as a producer and session musician, Miller focused on his solo career in late 1993 with the release of The Sun Don't Lie. 1995's Tales found Miller re-imagining the landscape of black music and its evolution over the past three decades. He released a live album, Live and More, in 1997 and debuted his first release of the new millennium, M2 ("M-squared"), in May, 2001.
In the past few years, Miller has turned his attention to film scoring, composing for "House Party" (Martin Lawrence), "Boomerang" (Eddie Murphy), "Siesta" (Ellen Barkin), "Ladies' Man" (Tim Meadows), and "The Brothers" (Morris Chestnut and D.L. Hughley). He wrote and produced the old school hit, "Da Butt", for Spike Lee's "School Daze" soundtrack. Miller further surprised people by composing and performing the score to E.B. White's "The Trumpet of the Swan." "I loved getting the opportunity to use jazz to tell a story to kids. Children have much more sophisticated ears than people give them credit for. You really don't have to play down to them. Just keep the music real."
"I like to keep things balanced, combining R&B, jazz, funk, and movie stuff to help reflect what's happening in our world. I just try to keep challenging myself to continue to grow and get better."
The Ozell Tapes
Following the success of bassist extraordinaire Marcus Miller's M2, Grammy Award-winning Best Contemporary Jazz Album of 2001 and one of the most critically acclaimed recordings of the year, Telarc and 3 Deuces Records proudly announce the release of The Ozell Tapes: The Official Bootleg. This live double album, the artist's compilation of the best of his 2002 tour dates, is raw, real, and the next best thing to being there.
This latest recording from the award-winning producer/composer/bassist brings new life and pure, unadulterated Marcus Miller funk to sixteen songs ranging from Miller's own "Power", "Scoop", "Nikki's Groove", and "Panther", to classics like Miles Davis' "So What", John Coltrane's "Lonnie's Lament", Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly", George Gershwin's "I Loves You, Porgy", Talking Heads' "Burning Down the House", "Amazing Grace", and the Marcus Miller-composed Miles Davis standard "Tutu."
The Ozell Tapes: The Official Bootleg features the multi-talented Miller on bass guitar, fretless bass guitar, bass clarinet, and soprano sax. Accompanying musicians include Poogie Bell (drums), Dean Brown (guitar), Roger Byam (tenor and alto sax, flute), Bruce Flowers (keyboards), Lalah Hathaway (special guest vocalist), Patches Stewart (trumpet), and Leroy Taylor (keyboards). No remixes, no overdubbing, just great music right from the original board tapes.
"There's always somebody sneaking recording equipment into our shows and releasing unauthorized CDs. This time, I decided to beat the pirates to the punch!" says Miller. "If you caught our show this year, this will definitely put you back in the vibe. If you enjoyed M2, I think it'll be really interesting for you to hear how the tunes from that CD have matured and changed on the road. And if this is the first time you're hearing us live, enjoy the ride!"
Miller continues to redefine the landscape of music with the release of his second project with Telarc. For all the die-hard fans who've clamored so long, the wait ends with The Ozell Tapes: The Official Bootleg.
This latest recording from the award-winning producer/composer/bassist brings new life and pure, unadulterated Marcus Miller funk to sixteen songs ranging from Miller's own "Power", "Scoop", "Nikki's Groove", and "Panther", to classics like Miles Davis' "So What", John Coltrane's "Lonnie's Lament", Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly", George Gershwin's "I Loves You, Porgy", Talking Heads' "Burning Down the House", "Amazing Grace", and the Marcus Miller-composed Miles Davis standard "Tutu."
The Ozell Tapes: The Official Bootleg features the multi-talented Miller on bass guitar, fretless bass guitar, bass clarinet, and soprano sax. Accompanying musicians include Poogie Bell (drums), Dean Brown (guitar), Roger Byam (tenor and alto sax, flute), Bruce Flowers (keyboards), Lalah Hathaway (special guest vocalist), Patches Stewart (trumpet), and Leroy Taylor (keyboards). No remixes, no overdubbing, just great music right from the original board tapes.
"There's always somebody sneaking recording equipment into our shows and releasing unauthorized CDs. This time, I decided to beat the pirates to the punch!" says Miller. "If you caught our show this year, this will definitely put you back in the vibe. If you enjoyed M2, I think it'll be really interesting for you to hear how the tunes from that CD have matured and changed on the road. And if this is the first time you're hearing us live, enjoy the ride!"
Miller continues to redefine the landscape of music with the release of his second project with Telarc. For all the die-hard fans who've clamored so long, the wait ends with The Ozell Tapes: The Official Bootleg.
Master Of All Trades
The first "official" Marcus Miller DVD, Master Of All Trades is currently available in Europe and Japan. It will be released in the United States in early 2006. The concert DVD was recorded live at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood, CA on October 14, 2002.
Concert (2 hours, 2 min.)
1. Power
2. Lonnie's Lament
3. So What
4. Scoop
5. Boomerang
6. Panther
7. WhenYour Life Was Low
8. People Make The World Go Round
9. Amazing Grace
10. Burning Down The House
11. Killing Me Softly
12. Miles Medley
Bonus (1 hour, 58 min.)
Special guest interviews with: Luther Vandross, Herbie Hancock, Roberta Flack, Stanley Clark, Reginald Hudlin, Lalah Hathaway, Lenny White, Omar Hakim, Bill Withers, and Ralph MacDonald
1. Foundations
2. Magic Hands
3. On The Road
4. Got A Life
5. Master Of All Trades
6. Work In Progress
7. The Evolution Of Jazz
8. Lessons Shared
9. Discography
10. The Gift
11. And The Winner Is
12. In A Word
Bonus Tracks:
13. Nikki's Groove
14. Teen Town
15. Porgy Solo
Concert (2 hours, 2 min.)
1. Power
2. Lonnie's Lament
3. So What
4. Scoop
5. Boomerang
6. Panther
7. WhenYour Life Was Low
8. People Make The World Go Round
9. Amazing Grace
10. Burning Down The House
11. Killing Me Softly
12. Miles Medley
Bonus (1 hour, 58 min.)
Special guest interviews with: Luther Vandross, Herbie Hancock, Roberta Flack, Stanley Clark, Reginald Hudlin, Lalah Hathaway, Lenny White, Omar Hakim, Bill Withers, and Ralph MacDonald
1. Foundations
2. Magic Hands
3. On The Road
4. Got A Life
5. Master Of All Trades
6. Work In Progress
7. The Evolution Of Jazz
8. Lessons Shared
9. Discography
10. The Gift
11. And The Winner Is
12. In A Word
Bonus Tracks:
13. Nikki's Groove
14. Teen Town
15. Porgy Solo
Selected Discography
Marcus Miller - Bass, Bass Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone, Keyboards, Vocals
Poogie Bell - Drums
Dean Brown - Guitar
Roger Byam - Saxophone
Bruce Flowers - Keyboards
Patches Stewart - Trumpet
Release Date - 2005
Poogie Bell - Drums
Dean Brown - Guitar
Roger Byam - Saxophone
Bruce Flowers - Keyboards
Patches Stewart - Trumpet
Release Date - 2005
Marcus Miller - Bass, Guitar, Piano, Organ, Keyboard, Fender Rhodes, Clarinet, Saxophone, Vocals; Dean Brown; Poogie Bell; Patches Stewart; Bruce Flowers; Roger Byam; Kirk Whalum; Kenny Garrett; Lalah Hathaway; Eric Clapton; Macy Gray; & more
Release Date - 2005
Record Label - 3 Deuces
Release Date - 2005
Record Label - 3 Deuces
Marcus Miller - Bass, Bass Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone, Keys
Poogie Bell - Drums; Dean Brown - Guitar; Roger Byam - Saxophones, Flute; Bruce Flowers - Keyboards; Lalah Hathaway - Vocals; Patches Stewart - Trumpet; Leroy Taylor - Keyboards
Release Date - 2002
Record Label - Telarc
Poogie Bell - Drums; Dean Brown - Guitar; Roger Byam - Saxophones, Flute; Bruce Flowers - Keyboards; Lalah Hathaway - Vocals; Patches Stewart - Trumpet; Leroy Taylor - Keyboards
Release Date - 2002
Record Label - Telarc
Marcus Miller - Bass, Guitar, Piano, Organ, Keyboard, Clarinet, Saxophone, Drum and Percussion Programming, Vibes, Scratches, Vocoder, Vocals; Vinnie Colaiuta; Kenny Garrett; Herbie Hancock; Chaka Khan; Wayne Shorter; Patches Stewart; & more
Release Date - 2001
Record Label - Telarc
Release Date - 2001
Record Label - Telarc
Marcus Miller - Bass, Guitar, Keyboard, Clarinet, Saxophone, Tambourine, Vocoder, Vocals; Bernard Wright; Kenny Garrett; Patches Stewart; Hiram Bullock; Poogie Bell; Roger Byam; Dave Delhomme; Lenny White; Everett Harpe; & more
Release Date - 1997
Record Label - PRA
Release Date - 1997
Record Label - PRA
Marcus Miller - Bass, Guitar, Keyboard, Clarinet, Vocal Samples, Rhythm Programming; Bernard Wright; Kenny Garrett; Patches Stewart; Hiram Bullock; Poogie Bell; Dean Brown; Lenny White; Joshua Redman; Lalah Hathaway; David Ward; & more
Release Date - 1995
Record Label - PRA
Release Date - 1995
Record Label - PRA
Marcus Miller - Bass, Guitar, Keyboard, Clarinet, Drum Programming; Poogie Bell; Lenny White; Dean Brown; Wayne Shorter; David Sanborn; Don Alias; Everette Harp; Andy Narell; Tony Williams; Hiram Bullock; Patches Stewart; & more
Release Date - 1993
Record Label - PRA
Release Date - 1993
Record Label - PRA
