The greatest respect accorded an artist is that which is bestowed by his peers. Such is the regard in which Mulgrew Miller is held. In a 1995 New York Times poll consisting of his peers, Mulgrew was voted the most in demand pianist. In the same poll, the venerable Hank Jones listed him as one of his favorite pianists. His extensive discography reveals that he is undoubtedly the most recorded pianist of his generation with over 400 recordings as a leader and sideman. In the book “Jazz Photographs of the Masters”, Bob Blumenthal asserts that Miller is “perhaps the leading pianist of his generation.” Further testament of his prowess is his ever widening network of colleagues who value highly their association with him.
With all of the respect and accolades such as these, Mulgrew Miller continues to be a vital contributor in the world of Jazz. His impact upon the scene since his arrival in the late seventies has been made through his many recordings and his tenure with some of the most important bands of the eighties and nineties. Although highly esteemed as a skilled, swinging accompanist and inventive soloist for many years, by veterans and “young lions” alike, Miller has emerged as a leader of vision and a significant composer. He has in recent years appeared throughout Europe, Japan, Australia, the U.S. and Canada with his own trio, and his reputable quintet “Wingspan.”
Much has been written about Miller’s ever-evolving style, which now exhibits a very personal way with melody, harmony, and rhythmic feeling, forged from his longtime associations with many innovative Jazz legends including Woody Shaw, Art Blakey, Betty Carter, Benny Golson, Johnny Griffin, and Tony Williams.
Born and raised in Greenwood, a small town in the Mississippi delta, Miller’s music is tinged with the blues/gospel flavor of his native environment. He studied formally from age eight and also played religious music and Rhythm & Blues as a teenager.
Two years were spent studying at Memphis State University, (now U of M), followed by short stays in Boston and Los Angeles, before finally arriving in N.Y. with the Duke Ellington Orchestra conducted by Mercer Ellington in 1977.
In 1985 Miller made his first recording as a leader for producer Orrin Keepnews’ former label, Landmark and later recorded on the RCA Novus label. In June 2002 Miller went into the studio again as a leader, after a seven-year hiatus, to record WINGSPAN for the new MaxJazz label. The CD quickly ascended to the #1 position on the radio airplay charts and placed #18 for the 100 most played recordings of 2002.
In the summer of ’97 Mulgrew was invited to tour in Japan with an assembly of some of the most prestigious names in Jazz piano- a group of ten pianists called “100 Gold Fingers” including Tommy Flanagan, Ray Bryant, and Kenny Barron.
Mulgrew is also a member of the Contemporary Piano Ensemble, a unique group consisting of four pianists performing simultaneously on four grand pianos with a rhythm section. In early October 2003 he premiered an original work, which was commissioned by the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company and performed live by his quintet WINGSPAN along with the DCDC.
The work was choreographed by the renowned choreographer Ron Brown. In addition, he has completed an artist residency in the Dayton Ohio area schools and colleges. Mulgrew was appointed to serve as artist-in-residence at Lafayette College for the 2003-04 school year. He has been honored with many citations. In 2003 he received the “Distinguished Achievement” award from the University of Memphis.
June 2004 saw the release of Miller’s first live recording. The CD, entitled “Live at Yoshi’s” which features Miller’s trio with young bassist Derrick Hodge and drummer Karriem Riggins, was well received and also rose to the top of the airplay charts.
