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Jane Miller: Bios

Jane Miller

"Jane Miller the person directly relates to Jane Miller the musician without apparent contradiction. Miller speaks, and the focus, sincerity, and earnestness of her music are also there in her voice. In fact, her own instrumental sound is not entirely unrelated to her speaking voice." (William Tandy Young, Blues Wire)


Guitarist/Composer Jane Miller's new CD, "The Other Room," on Pink Bubble Records, is a 12 song collection of her most recent compositions, brilliantly performed by her group (Tim Ray-piano, Bob Simonelli-fretless electric bass, and Don Kirby-drums). Like her previous two CDs, "Postcard," (1993) and "Secret Pockets," (1998) "The Other Room" is receiving rave reviews and air play throughout the United States and Canada. The pairing of engineer Peter Kontrimas and assistant producer Lauren Passarelli has resulted in a bold new sound, providing the perfect vehicle for this contemporary jazz material. The recording also features Jane's debut writing for strings, with a performance by The Arriaga String Quartet.
With roots in both the folk singer-songwriter and jazz worlds, Jane is an active freelancer and composer. She has become a frequent guitarist with the internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter SONiA, of disappear fear. She has performed with guitarists Leni Stern and Emily Remler (her former teacher). She has performed duets with bassists David Clark, and Marshall Wood; saxophonists Cercie Miller, Billy Novick, and Myanna; and other ensemble work with drummers Bob Gullotti and Steve Langone, pianists Bill O'Connell and Dick Odgren, and singers Toni Ballard and Jim Porcella. She is currently in a working Chamber Jazz Trio with Cercie Miller and David Clark for which she contributes many compositions.

A sought after private teacher for years, Jane joined the faculty at Berklee College of Music in Boston in 1994.

*Discography:
The Jane Miller Group "The Other Room" (2000)
The Jane Miller Trio "Secret Pockets" with guests Jay Ashby and Bill O'Connell (1998)
The Jane Miller Group "Postcard" with guests Patty Larkin, Mick Goodrick, Mili Bermejo and Ken LaRoche (1993)
SONiA "Me, Too" (1998)

*Performances: Regattabar, Scullers, The Berklee Performance Center,The Firehouse, The Iron Horse, Club Passim, The Acton Jazz Cafe, The Hatch Shell, First Nights in Boston, Hartford, and Worcester, NOW Summit in Washington, D.C., Pride Festivals in San Diego, Baltimore, and Worcester, Susquehanna Music and Arts Festival, MD, Capital Region Guitar Show, Saratoga Springs, NY

*TV and Radio: Live appearances throughout New England, including WGBH-FM, WICN-FM. Composed and recorded theme music for "Barbara...and You," for Leominster Cablevision, as well as other jingles and themes. Former Jazz Coordinator for WCUW-FM, Worcester, MA.

*Arts Lottery Grant recipient, award given to worthy artists and composers funded by Massachusetts Arts Lottery.

Don Kirby - Drums

Don Kirby is a sought after drummer and educator. He is the author of two books,4-Way Independence on the Drum Set, and The Kirby Drum Method.
In addition to maintaining a busy freelance schedule of shows and R+B groups, Don plays regularly with the Mark Marquis group, and is a welcome presence on many jazz gigs in the New England area.

Bob Simonelli - Bass

Bob Simonelli has become one of the most active bass players on the New England jazz scene. His versatility on electric and acoustic bass has put him in the company of a diverse field of jazz musicians such as singers Rebecca Paris, Toni Ballard, and Jim Porcella, pianist Bevan Manson, guitarists Mark Marquis and Jim Kelly, and trombone virtuoso Rick Stepton.

Tim Ray - piano

Tim Ray has traveled the globe as a pianist for such diverse artists as Lyle Lovett, Jane Siberry, Mili Bermejo, Eddie Daniels, and Cercie Miller. His own recording as leader, Ideas and Opinions, is on the GM label and features the distinguished players Rufus Reid and Lewis Nash on bass and drums. His latest recording with his trio, "Tres Corda" features Eugene Friesen on cello and Greg Hopkins on trumpet.
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