For those unaware, Mark Miller is a versatile trombonist, composer, and arranger who has a passion for big band and Latin jazz. Cutting his musical teeth in Wisconsin and Minnesota, Mark began his recording career as a member of the collective jazz composers’ sextet, Motion Poets. They recorded three albums, which garnered critical acclaim.

Soon after, Mark relocated to NYC and made his way there playing creative jazz and performing with many Latin bands. These experiences fostered in him a deep love for Nuyorican salsa.

Mark also developed his career playing Broadway shows. In 2002 he hit the road for a few years of back-to-back tours with “Swing” and the Billy Joel - Twyla Tharp rock ballet, “Movin Out.” Highlight: jamming with Billy to sold-out theatres. Mark also was a featured soloist in the Broadway show “Come Fly Away,” playing the music of Frank Sinatra, for its six-month NYC run and portions of the US tour.

Even while touring, Mark made time to record. “The Return Of Slide Huxtable” was with his Minneapolis quartet. He was also a backing artist on Nicki Denner’s “El Medico De Coqui;” Darren Holden’s “Road Works;” and Trek’s “From the Ivory Tower.” Sometimes these recording sessions happened on the road in the makeshift studio of a hotel room.

Home from the road, Mark returned to playing creative music with several projects. He joined Paul Carlon’s Octet and recorded their Strayhorn tribute, “La Rumba Is A Lovesome Thing,” in 2013. He also joined the big band of Pedro Giraudo and recorded “Cuentos” in 2015. Pedro would later win the 2018 Latin Grammy for Best Tango Album. Mark played and arranged two songs on the 2016 Latin Grammy - nominated “Between Brothers” by Raul Agraz.

Last year Mark also appeared on the Jonas Brothers’ “The Album” with iconic rock saxophonist Richie Cannata. Other notable artists Mark has performed with include Jennifer Hudson, Josh Groban, Idina Menzel, Southside Johnny, Michael Feinstein, Jon Batiste, Cy Coleman, Frank Sinatra Jr, Tito Puente Jr, Lorna Luft, Lucille Arnaz, and amongst other both Gloria Gaynor and Groove Collective.

Mark’s artistic focus for the last dozen years has been playing lead trombone and writing for the Birdland Big Band. 2018’s “Birdland Big Band Live” album features three of Mark’s charts.

The band’s new studio album, releasing August 29th,2 05 is entitled “Storybook: The Music of Mark Miller” and is his biggest project to date and which has also taken years to come to fruition. The ten tracks on the CD include five original pieces and five of Mark’s arrangements. Three songs also features vocalist Nicole Zuraitis, the 2023 winner for Best Vocal Jazz Album.

1. Storybook (feat. Brandon Lee, Kenny Ascher & Nathan Childers) [6:46]
2. Water Lily (feat. Troy Roberts & Kenny Ascher) [6:54]
3. Tenderly (feat. Nicole Zuraitis & Sam Dillon) [4:15]
4. Chorale And Alleluia (feat. Troy Roberts & Kenny Ascher) [7:39]
5. Sail Away (feat. David DeJesus & Glenn Drewes) [5:58]
6. WTF (feat. David DeJesus, Sam Dillon, Chris Smith, James Burton III & Sara Jacovino) [8:03]
7. Close Your Eyes (feat. Nicole Zuraitis, Kenny Ascher & James Borowski) [5:19]
8. Concierto De Aranjuez [1:51]
9. Spain (feat. Brandon Lee, Nathan Childers & Chris Smith) [7:30]
10. The Doubledown (feat Jason Marshall, Ron Wilkins, Noriko Ueda & Mark Miller) [7:26]
11. Nonsense (feat. Nicole Zuraitis & Ron Wilkins) [5:08]

Having performed in 48 states and 18 countries on five continents, and having toured with the likes of Diana Ross and Blood, Sweat & Tears, Mark opens on the luxuriant Storybook (featuring Brandon Lee, Kenny Ascher & Nathan Childers) and the flourishing Water Lily (featuring Troy Roberts & Kenny Ascher) and then brings us the lushly sculpted Tenderly (featuring Nicole Zuraitis & Sam Dillon) and then come both the veritably cinematic Chorale And Alleluia (featuring Troy Roberts & Kenny Ascher) and the sweeping Sail Away (feat David DeJesus & Glenn Drewes).

Along next is the spirited SWTF (feat David DeJesus, Sam Dillon, Chris Smith, James Burton III & Sara Jacovino) and the low slung Close Your Eyes (featuring Nicole Zuraitis, Kenny Ascher & James Borowski) and they are in turn backed by the drum-led Concierto De Aranjuez, the forthright beauty of Spain (featuring Brandon Lee, Nathan Childers & Chris Smith), the buoyant The Doubledown (featuring Jason Marshall, Ron Wilkins, Noriko Ueda & Mark Miller), closing on the rhythmically melodic Nonsense (featuring Nicole Zuraitis & Ron Wilkins).

Musicians:
Musical Director: David DeJesus
Vocalist: Nicole Zuraitis
Alto saxes: Nathan Childers, David DeJesus
Tenor saxes: Troy Roberts, Sam Dillon
Bari Sax: Jason Marshall
Flutes: David DeJesus, Sam Dillon, Nathan Childers
Trumpets: Raul Agraz, John Walsh, Brandon Lee, Glenn Drewes, Max Darché
Trombones: Mark Miller, James Burton III, Ron Wilkins, Sara Jacovino, James Borowski (bass)
Piano: Kenny Ascher, Adam Birnbaum
Bass: Noriko Ueda
Drums: Chris Smith

Official Purchase Link

www.birdbigband.com