Marcus Miller

Marcus Miller is a musician's musician. Few players garner the sincere respect that comes when his name is mentioned. To have accomplished so much great work in such a short period of time is nothing short of remarkable. Born in Brooklyn, New York into a musical family (his father was a church organist and his cousin played piano with Miles Davis), Marcus became proficient on piano, organ, clarinet, voice and bass by the time he was 14. While his aptitude on clarinet gained him entry into New York's prestigious High School of Music & Art (the FAME school), it was his attitude on the bass guitar that landed him the gig in the legendary Saturday Night Live house band (at 17!) which ultimately began his professional career.

Marcus Miller

There he met saxophonist David Sanborn, who took him in as a collaborator for his "Voyeur" album. From there he has carved an identity as a sought-after producer and songwriter working with such greats as Luther Vandross (9 albums including a Best R&B Song Grammy for "Power of Love"), Natalie Cole, Roberta Flack, David Sanborn, Al Jarreau, Chaka Khan, Boz Scaggs and most recently Wayne Shorter. Simultaneously he has sustained a reputation as one of the world's premiere session bassists playing on scores of dates with some of the best known artists in jazz, rock, and R&B including: Aretha Franklin, Scritti Pollitti, Grover Washington Jr., Donald Fagen, Bryan Ferry, Elton John, Bob James, Kazumi Watanabe, Dave Gruisin, and many others.
 
When Miles Davis called Marcus in 1981, a musical partnership was born that created some of the most important jazz of the decade including the seminal Tutu album. Marcus' film scores and soundtrack contributions for the films Siesta, House Party, Boomerang, School Daze (remember "Da Butt"?) Dirty low Down Shame and The Great White Hype have further demonstrated his incredible versatility. In the late eighties he also was the musical director on the eclectic live music Television show, Night Music with David Sanborn.
 
In addition to making records with his band, "The Jamaica Boys", Marcus has released four solo albums including the Grammy nominated, "Tales" on P.R.A. records.
 
One time I asked Marcus how it had come to pass that he had been involved in so many great projects. He said, "Well, it all comes from being commited to your instrument...practicing, continuing to learn and grow. When you do that, the good projects come to you." Like I said....a musician's musician.