K&K's Artist of the Month: Jane Miller
May 2005
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| photo by Susan Wilson |
"Jane Miller the person directly relates to Jane Miller the musician without apparent contradiction. Miller speaks, and the focus, sincerity, and earnestness of her music are also there in her voice. In fact, her own instrumental sound is not entirely unrelated to her speaking voice." (William Tandy Young, Blues Wire)
Guitarist/Composer Jane Miller's new CD, "The Other Room," on Pink Bubble Records, is a 12 song collection of her most recent compositions, brilliantly performed by her group (Tim Ray-piano, Bob Simonelli-fretless electric bass, and Don Kirby-drums). Like her previous two CDs, "Postcard," (1993) and "Secret Pockets," (1998) "The Other Room" is receiving rave reviews and air play throughout the United States and Canada. The pairing of engineer Peter Kontrimas and assistant producer Lauren Passarelli has resulted in a bold new sound, providing the perfect vehicle for this contemporary jazz material. The recording also features Jane's debut writing for strings, with a performance by The Arriaga String Quartet.
With roots in both the folk singer-songwriter and jazz worlds, Jane is an active freelancer and composer. She has become a frequent guitarist with the internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter SONiA, of disappear fear. She has performed with guitarists Leni Stern and Emily Remler (her former teacher). She has performed duets with bassists David Clark, and Marshall Wood; saxophonists Cercie Miller, Billy Novick, and Myanna; and other ensemble work with drummers Bob Gullotti and Steve Langone, pianists Bill O'Connell and Dick Odgren, and singers Toni Ballard and Jim Porcella. She is currently in a working Chamber Jazz Trio with Cercie Miller and David Clark for which she contributes many compositions.
A sought after private teacher for years, Jane joined the faculty at Berklee College of Music in Boston in 1994.
*Discography:
The Jane Miller Group "The Other Room" (2000)
The Jane Miller Trio "Secret Pockets" with guests Jay Ashby and Bill O'Connell (1998)
The Jane Miller Group "Postcard" with guests Patty Larkin, Mick Goodrick, Mili Bermejo and Ken LaRoche (1993)
SONiA "Me, Too" (1998)
Jane uses the K&K Mini Pure Western: "The Mini Pure is just what i needed. I am using it in my Martin OOO28H. I wouldn't have done anything to alter that guitar, but I did want to be able to use it on occasional special gigs and recitals with a rhythm section, meaning just a mic wouldn't cut it. The Mini Pure adds no discernable weight to the guitar, and it sounds real, like a nice guitar should. So much better than an undersaddle sound; so logical. Fantastic pick up. Can't wait to get one for my nylon string."
http://www.janemillergroup.com/