The double M's in the name Marcus Miller could stand for Many things to Many people. Over the course of among the most enviable careers in all of music, Marcus ascended into a two-time Grammy-winner and the composer/producer of eight critically acclaimed and genre-defying albums as a leader, featuring his astounding and singular technique as among the world's most gifted, forward-thinking and eclectic electric bassists.
As a producer, writer and player, he was the last primary collaborator of jazz legend Miles Davis, contributing the composition "Tutu" to the canon of contemporary jazz music. And, starting with David Sanborn's 1980 album Hideaway and its follow-up Voyeur (for which the alto sax giant won a Grammy performing Marcus' composition "All I Need is You"), Marcus not only left an indelible mark on Sanborn’s distinctive sound, he laid the often-copied blueprint for the coolest of contemporary jazz sounds.
As a co-producer, arranger and player, Marcus was highly influential in the success of Luther Vandross, co-writing dozens of R&B/pop million-sellers with the beloved singer, including "Never Too Much," "Any Love," "`Til My Baby Comes Home," "For You To Love" and the Grammy-winning “Power of Love/Love Power.”
As a multi-instrumentalist, Marcus is highly proficient as a keyboardist, clarinetist/bass clarinetist and, primarily, as a world-renowned electric bassist, topping critics' and readers' polls for three decades. His resumé is brimming with over 500 recording credits as a sideman on albums across the spectrum of musical styles: Jazz (George Benson, Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Sample, Wayne Shorter and Grover Washington, Jr.), rock (Donald Fagen and Eric Clapton), pop (Roberta Flack, Paul Simon and Mariah Carey), R&B (Aretha Franklin and Chaka Khan), hip hop (Jay-Z and Snoop Dogg), smooth jazz (Al Jarreau and Michael Franks) and opera (a collaboration with tenor Kenn Hicks).
In the movie world, Marcus rose from writing the all-time great go-go party jam "Da Butt" for Spike Lee's "School Daze" to becoming the go-to score composer of 20+ films, ranging from the Hudlin Brothers’ comedy classic "Boomerang" and the family gem "This Christmas" to the animated children's film "The Trumpet of The Swan," the basketball documentary "1 Love" and Chris Rock’s coming of age television series “Everybody Hates Chris.”
Today, Marcus’ interests and projects are expanding into even more artistic endeavors. Last year found him hosting the first North Sea Jazz Cruise, which called for him to not just bring his band and turn the boat out, but hand-pick the other musicians who participated, covering all the bases with legends Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, David Sanborn and Dee Dee Bridgewater, edgy contemporary stars Roy Hargrove, James Carter, DJ Logic and Medeski, Scofield, Martin & Wood, European imports Ulf Wakenius and Silje Nergaard and fierce up-and-comers Lionel Loueke and Roberta Gambarini. Treating fans to excellently planned programs (including a Sunday morning “Gospel Hour” co-hosted with the chameleonic Kirk Whalum - who was all over the ship for the entire cruise) as well as spontaneously thrilling jam sessions (including one where ship guests could sit in with the pros), Marcus also led seminars, interviews with the giants, and insisted that all of the talent be available on downtime to mingle with the cruisers. It was an awesome experience.
“When I shared my vision with all the musicians and they agreed to come aboard, I knew it was going to be something special. We had the most wonderful people from around the world – all so into the music – which gave the whole event such a beautiful spirit. It was like having the dopest backstage pass ever, plus I got to do some fresh things that I’ve always wanted to do.”
Marcus Miller, the man, ultimately stand for one thing – Musical Magnificence.
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