Express Yourself! Features
MARCUS MILLER
By Eve Fountain
When I was asked to a do a piece on my favorite artist, there was no way it could be anyone
other than the great bassist Marcus Miller (b. July 1959 in Brooklyn, NY, raised in Jamaica
Queens). Being that I am one of the biggest "Millerheads", (a.k.a. a big Marcus fan) only
makes writing this piece even sweeter.
Many will know Marcus as the dynamic session's bassist on Tom Browne's debut LP, Browne
Sugar, and follow-up hit LP, Love Approach, which features the funk party jam, "Funkin' For
Jamaica"; holding down the bottom end on Roberta Flack and Peabo Bryson's, Live And
More, or groovin' on the late, great saxophonist Grover Washington, Jr.'s Grammy award-
winning masterpiece, Winelight, which includes the timeless classic, "Just The Two of Us,"
featuring the voice of the incomparable Bill Withers. But that is only a sample of the massive
repertoire of recordings that Marcus has performed during his career as a sideman. His
signature bass sound can be heard on more recordings that I can attempt to count, for fear
that I may miss a couple hundred more!
And his production credits? Again, deemed very worthy of mention, but too numerous to
include here. Be aware, there’s a legion of Marcus fans out here and we have followed this
gifted musician's career for many years, recognizing that Marcus is far more than just a
behind-the-scenes bass player. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with being known –
according to Bass Player Magazine - as "one of ten of the most influential bassists of the 90s”
: that certainly does have its rewards and there’s no question that Marcus is reaping those
rewards tenfold. We know he's paid his dues over the years to enjoy the accolades that he
now receives from his peers.
A professional bass player since the tender age of fifteen, Marcus (who also plays guitar,
keyboards, sax, and a mean bass clarinet the multi-talented Grammy award- winning
singer/songwriter/composer/producer's bass licks, production and film scoring chops are in
such demand these days that the heaviest hitters in the music industry from every genre, are
constantly vying to have him collaborate with them.
Marcus has also made quite a name for himself over the years, building an impressive
discography of hits, real classics, and other gems, which he has produced since the early
1980s working with powerhouse artists such as Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin, Chaka
Khan, David Sanborn, Lonnie Liston Smith, and most notably, the late, great trumpeter, Miles
Davis, one of Marcus' musical influences.
With Marcus on board as a member of Miles' comeback band, a magical musical partnership
was born. Both being masters of their respective instruments, Marcus, Miles and the rest of
the band, performed knock-out gems like "Tutu", and "Full Nelson" and "Amandla", (all
produced by Marcus) around the world, reviving Miles' career and introducing him to a new
and younger audience. This partnership lasted until Miles' untimely death in 1991, and his
association with the legend earned Marcus respect from his peers and fans alike, solidifying
his place as one of the true giants in the industry.
Remarkably, Marcus somehow finds time to release his own solo efforts as well and recently
starting his own record label, 3 Deuces Records. His sixth release, the 2001 CD, M2, won a
Grammy for Best Contemporary Jazz Album and his latest live and uncut CD, The Ozell Tapes
is sure to be another winner as well.
As if he didn’t have enough on his plate, Marcus decided to take his music to the movies some
time ago, subsequently scoring for films such as Kid N' Play's, House Party, Eddie Murphy's,
Boomerang and more recently, Serving Sara, with Matthew Perry and Elizabeth Hurley, Deliver
Us From Eva, with LL Cool J and Gabrielle Union and Head of State , which stars comics Chris
Rock and Bernie Mac.
So, the next time you're kicked back and chillin' to David Sanborn's, Double Vision, Upfront,
or Inside; or you hear a classic Luther Vandross tune - such as "Never Too Much," "Until You
Come Back To Me/Superstar," "Bad Boy/Having A Party," or the Grammy award-winning,
"Love Power/Power of Love" on the radio (or preferably, on your stereo!), remember Marcus
Miller produced and played on all of them. And while you're pondering that, also marvel at the
thought that Marcus and Luther could very well be as indirectly responsible for the baby
boom of the 1980s as Barry "The Maestro" White was during the 1970s! Listen to the bass
lines on all their work together with new ears and lose your mind the same way some of us
bass players did when we heard them for the first time. And, finally, the next time you find
yourself at the cinema, check out the opening credits for the person who did the film score. It
just may be Marcus Miller.
These days, you can find the seemingly tireless Marcus touring around the world with his
band. If you've never seen him in concert, do yourself a favor and check him out: I strongly
suggest you get your tickets right away since his concert appeal is such that available seating
doesn't last for very long. You don't want to be among the crowd who are left out on the
doorstep straining to hear his performance so make sure you catch his show when he comes
to your area! Oh and when you get to his live show, who are the ones hollering and partying
the loudest down in front if you do make it in? Don't worry. It's just a bunch of us
Millerheads. We're everywhere Marcus is!
For more information about Marcus Miller and tour dates, visit:
http://www.marcusmiller.com
You can reach Eve by e-mail at: allears60@yahoo.com
By Eve Fountain
When I was asked to a do a piece on my favorite artist, there was no way it could be anyone
other than the great bassist Marcus Miller (b. July 1959 in Brooklyn, NY, raised in Jamaica
Queens). Being that I am one of the biggest "Millerheads", (a.k.a. a big Marcus fan) only
makes writing this piece even sweeter.
Many will know Marcus as the dynamic session's bassist on Tom Browne's debut LP, Browne
Sugar, and follow-up hit LP, Love Approach, which features the funk party jam, "Funkin' For
Jamaica"; holding down the bottom end on Roberta Flack and Peabo Bryson's, Live And
More, or groovin' on the late, great saxophonist Grover Washington, Jr.'s Grammy award-
winning masterpiece, Winelight, which includes the timeless classic, "Just The Two of Us,"
featuring the voice of the incomparable Bill Withers. But that is only a sample of the massive
repertoire of recordings that Marcus has performed during his career as a sideman. His
signature bass sound can be heard on more recordings that I can attempt to count, for fear
that I may miss a couple hundred more!
And his production credits? Again, deemed very worthy of mention, but too numerous to
include here. Be aware, there’s a legion of Marcus fans out here and we have followed this
gifted musician's career for many years, recognizing that Marcus is far more than just a
behind-the-scenes bass player. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with being known –
according to Bass Player Magazine - as "one of ten of the most influential bassists of the 90s”
: that certainly does have its rewards and there’s no question that Marcus is reaping those
rewards tenfold. We know he's paid his dues over the years to enjoy the accolades that he
now receives from his peers.
A professional bass player since the tender age of fifteen, Marcus (who also plays guitar,
keyboards, sax, and a mean bass clarinet the multi-talented Grammy award- winning
singer/songwriter/composer/producer's bass licks, production and film scoring chops are in
such demand these days that the heaviest hitters in the music industry from every genre, are
constantly vying to have him collaborate with them.
Marcus has also made quite a name for himself over the years, building an impressive
discography of hits, real classics, and other gems, which he has produced since the early
1980s working with powerhouse artists such as Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin, Chaka
Khan, David Sanborn, Lonnie Liston Smith, and most notably, the late, great trumpeter, Miles
Davis, one of Marcus' musical influences.
With Marcus on board as a member of Miles' comeback band, a magical musical partnership
was born. Both being masters of their respective instruments, Marcus, Miles and the rest of
the band, performed knock-out gems like "Tutu", and "Full Nelson" and "Amandla", (all
produced by Marcus) around the world, reviving Miles' career and introducing him to a new
and younger audience. This partnership lasted until Miles' untimely death in 1991, and his
association with the legend earned Marcus respect from his peers and fans alike, solidifying
his place as one of the true giants in the industry.
Remarkably, Marcus somehow finds time to release his own solo efforts as well and recently
starting his own record label, 3 Deuces Records. His sixth release, the 2001 CD, M2, won a
Grammy for Best Contemporary Jazz Album and his latest live and uncut CD, The Ozell Tapes
is sure to be another winner as well.
As if he didn’t have enough on his plate, Marcus decided to take his music to the movies some
time ago, subsequently scoring for films such as Kid N' Play's, House Party, Eddie Murphy's,
Boomerang and more recently, Serving Sara, with Matthew Perry and Elizabeth Hurley, Deliver
Us From Eva, with LL Cool J and Gabrielle Union and Head of State , which stars comics Chris
Rock and Bernie Mac.
So, the next time you're kicked back and chillin' to David Sanborn's, Double Vision, Upfront,
or Inside; or you hear a classic Luther Vandross tune - such as "Never Too Much," "Until You
Come Back To Me/Superstar," "Bad Boy/Having A Party," or the Grammy award-winning,
"Love Power/Power of Love" on the radio (or preferably, on your stereo!), remember Marcus
Miller produced and played on all of them. And while you're pondering that, also marvel at the
thought that Marcus and Luther could very well be as indirectly responsible for the baby
boom of the 1980s as Barry "The Maestro" White was during the 1970s! Listen to the bass
lines on all their work together with new ears and lose your mind the same way some of us
bass players did when we heard them for the first time. And, finally, the next time you find
yourself at the cinema, check out the opening credits for the person who did the film score. It
just may be Marcus Miller.
These days, you can find the seemingly tireless Marcus touring around the world with his
band. If you've never seen him in concert, do yourself a favor and check him out: I strongly
suggest you get your tickets right away since his concert appeal is such that available seating
doesn't last for very long. You don't want to be among the crowd who are left out on the
doorstep straining to hear his performance so make sure you catch his show when he comes
to your area! Oh and when you get to his live show, who are the ones hollering and partying
the loudest down in front if you do make it in? Don't worry. It's just a bunch of us
Millerheads. We're everywhere Marcus is!
For more information about Marcus Miller and tour dates, visit:
http://www.marcusmiller.com
You can reach Eve by e-mail at: allears60@yahoo.com
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