“Jason Miles has raised the level of
excellence for the musicians who have had the good fortune of working with him,
myself included. He has enriched the lives of the millions of people who have
listened to the music he plays, the recordings he produces and the countless
musicians he mentors and inspires. The work he did with my friends, Miles Davis
and Marcus Miller have helped to define the modern face of jazz music.”
Roberta Flack, Jason Miles is a producer and keyboardist based in New York
Jason Miles has stood his
ground as a true musical visionary. From his groundbreaking
synth programming on Miles Davis’ 80s masterpieces Tutu, Music From Siesta and
Amandla to Kind of New, his critically acclaimed 2015 recording with trumpeter
Ingrid Jensen that celebrates Davis’ spirit. The Grammy Award winning New York
native— dubbed by one insightful veteran journalist as the “Quincy Jones of
Contemporary Music”—has consistently brought the highest level of artistry to
his multi-faceted recordings (as both producer and artist) and live
performances.
Miles has not only helped
shape the landscape of contemporary jazz, but also brought his rich sonic
textures as a keyboardist, arranger and producer to artists in a multitude of
genres, from R&B/pop to Latin Jazz, Brazilian music and even children’s
music and country (producing Suzy Boguss’ Sweet Danger). His many years of collaboration
with Marcus Miller include not only the Miles Davis projects but also classic
recordings by David Sanborn (A Change of Heart, Close Up, Upfront) and Luther
Vandross.
In March 2015, Miles performed a “To Grover,
With Love” tribute concert before over 5,000 people at the Capetown Jazz
Festival in South Africa. Joining him for the show were saxophonists Marion
Meadows and Elan Trotman, bassist Gerald Veasley and vocalist Maya Azucena. In
March 2016, Miles will be releasing the album, “To Grover, With Love Live in
Japan”, a compilation of ten shows performed at the Blue Note Tokyo in June
2010. Featured guests include saxophonists Andy Snitzer and Eric Darius and the
late percussionist Ralph MacDonald, who penned Grover’s trademark hits “Mister
Magic” and “Just The Two of Us.” Miles will be performing “To Grover, With
Love” shows throughout 2016, including August 28 at the Hollywood Bowl. Miles has worked over the
years with a proverbial who’s who of contemporary music: Whitney Houston,
Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Michael Brecker, The Crusaders,
Ruben Blades, Freddy Cole, George Benson, Joe Sample, Herb Alpert, Vanessa
Williams, Grover Washington Jr., Lea Salonga and many others.
He has performed at top
festivals and venues throughout the world, including Monterey Jazz Festival,
Jazz Aspen, Umbria Jazz, North Sea, Jacksonville Jazz Fest, Jazz Fest NOLA and
Tokyo Blue Note.
Miles’ work with Q Up Arts
includes producing the acclaimed Steve Gadd Drumscores and Psychic Horns.
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