“Miles did not put up with average playing. That really forced me to develop my style. The most important lesson he taught me was to be open and honest about who you are and what you do.” The New York born funky multi-instrumentalist, producer and label owner Marcus Miller sings the praises of the time he worked with jazz legend Miles Davis. In the early 80's Miller toured with Davis' band for two years. Later he would also take on the full production of important Davis records like Tutu. It did a lot for Miller's career. He made a name for himself and was able to share his brilliant musical ideas with artists like David Sanborn, Luther Vandross, Al Jarreau and Chaka Kahn. With three of his own instrumental records in a row and a long-term tour behind him, more recently Miller has focused on composing movie scores (Boomerang, School Daze, House Party and The Trumpet of the Swan). He also put together an exposition on funk music for Paul Allen's Experience Music Project in a Seattle museum. His latest CD, M2, which won a Grammy for 'Best Contemporary Jazz Album', early this year, marks a whole new musical era, the bass player says. “On M2 I tried to depict what goes on in my mind. It's like I'm taking a stroll through my thoughts.” As ever, Marcus Miller keeps his music balanced with alternating funk, jazz rock and R&B. Among other things, he ventures covers of The Talking Heads (Burning Down the House) and John Coltrane (Lonnie's Lament). He also invited guests like Lucy Pearl's Raphael Saddiq, Herbie Hancock, Branford Marsalis and Chaka Khan.
