Composer/Pianist Mulgrew Miller Returns to Tennessee

By: Nikki Tucker

Pianist Mulgrew Miller showcases his talent with the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra and shares his experiences with students at the University of Tennessee. (Photo credit: Danny Miller)

To discover or experience art in unexpected places can be one of life’s greatest pleasures. Possibly surprising to some, a vibrant jazz community exists in Knoxville, Tennessee. This quaint city, which once hosted the World’s Fair, disproves some preconceived notions of where to find good jazz. The work of the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra produces strong evidence that jazz can be found outside familiar places like New York or New Orleans.

In October, 2003 the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra presented composer/pianist Mulgrew Miller, with the help of NEA Regional Touring Program funds, awarded through the Southern Arts Federation. During his twenty-four hour visit to Knoxville, Miller participated in a live radio interview, workshop, and performance. Attended by more than 300, the success of the programming demonstrates that the orchestra has gained the respect of its peers and significant local support.

"The Most In-Demand Pianist"

Born in Greenwood, Mississippi, Miller began playing the piano at the early age of 6, started taking lessons at age 8, and decided to become a jazz pianist by his teenage years. Determined and focused, he pursued his studies with fellow pianists Donald Brown and James Williams at Memphis State University in Tennessee. During his sophomore year, Miller was invited to perform in the Mercer Ellington Band. Miller would eventually play with a variety of renowned jazz artists and orchestras — Art Blakey, Gary Burton, Betty Carter, Branford Marsalis, Woody Shaw, Tony Williams, Cassandra Wilson, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, and Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Once called "the most in-demand pianist" in the New York Times, Miller has had an impressive career.

A Likely Pair

As a Tennessee native, Vance Thompson, Founder and Director of the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra, attended the University of Tennessee, but pursued his graduate studies at DePaul University in Chicago. He began writing for big bands while in Chicago and wanted to continue his work once he returned home. Most importantly, Thompson wanted to be able to provide high quality playing opportunities for musicians.

As a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting jazz music in East Tennessee, the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra has been performing throughout the region as well as in Europe. Within its four-year existence, the group has performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and released two critically acclaimed CDs — A Year in the Life of the Band and The Music of Donald Brown. Don Williamson noted in the 52^nd Street Jazz Review, a website for jazz reviews, that "the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra--even though its first CD is self-produced and even though its members perform without pay--is of the highest caliber. Frankly, it rivals the output of some of the better-known jazz bands."

The orchestra consists of 17 professional musicians, and many are active members within the local arts community, including the Knoxville Symphony and University of Tennessee Jazz Faculty. Under the leadership of trumpeter Vance Thompson, the group has managed collaborations with noteworthy artists as well — Monty Alexander, Don Braden, Donald Brown, and Bill Mobley among others. The orchestra’s repertoire includes the music of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Thad Jones, and original compositions by Thompson himself.

Considering the orchestra’s musicianship and the fact that Miller’s original compositions were arranged specifically for large ensembles, the pairing of the two appears to be a perfect alliance. Having had limited contact with Miller during his student years in Chicago, Thompson sought continued exposure to Miller and his work after returning to Tennessee . In addition to enjoying Miller’s playing and writing, Thompson confesses that Miller is one of his heroes. According to Thompson, "Miller is a first rate artist in every respect and one of the more respected pianists of his generation."

Sunrise to Sunset

To begin his residency with the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra , Miller was interviewed on a popular morning radio show. Prior to an evening performance, an afternoon workshop on composition was presented to students at the University of Tennessee School of Music. The primary goal of the workshop was to increase awareness of jazz music among students. Two musicians accompanied Miller during a thirty-minute performance. The piano, bass, and drums fullycaptured the attention of all in the room. An intense question-and-answer session followed the performance, allowing the young musicians and faculty to gain greater insight from Miller.

More importantly, several students were given the opportunity to perform for Miller. The composer provided these students with critiques of their work and shared various playing techniques with pianists. During the "clinic," Miller candidly discussed performing, composing, improvising, and working with other artists. The workshop closed with a ten-minute performance by Miller. Without a doubt Miller’s presence was inspirational, invaluable, and engaging for nearly 100 workshop attendees, and particularly for other pianists.

In the evening, Miller performed with the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra at Fairbanks, a popular venue for live music. The performance included three of Miller’s original compositions ("Farewell to Dogma," "Second Thoughts," and "Grew’s Tune") as well as original compositions and arrangements by Thompson. The instrumentation called for by these pieces included five saxophones with flute, clarinet, and bass clarinet doubles, four trombones, five trumpets/flugel horns, bass, and drums. Together, the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra and Miller presented an exceptional and powerful performance for the audience.

With many willing to stand just to be able to listen to Miller and the orchestra, both the performance and the workshop were well attended and received. According to Thompson, Miller’s presentation influenced not only the students, but the orchestra’s musicians, too. The extremely high artistic experience proved motivating for the musicians, who continue to donate their services to the orchestra.

Clearly an extraordinary pianist and orchestra, the commitment and skill of both are commendable. This collaborative effort proved to be one of the most successful events for the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra.

Visit the Southern Arts Federation website at www.southarts.org for more information on support for touring performances by music, theatre, opera, musical theatre, literary, and dance artists in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Information about the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra may be found at\:

www.knoxjazz.org.

National Endowment for the Arts
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