Project Description
Social Media & other links
Territory of Representation
- Non-exclusive Worldwide (excluding USA)
Availability
- Festivals + upon request
Upcoming Shows
- 3rd August 2024, Bansko Jazz Fest, Bansko, Bulgaria
Recent Shows
Solo Piano & Stories
- 29th June 2024, Cossoul, Lisbon, Portugal
- 17th May 2024, Cascais Jazz Club, Cascais, Portugal
Kind of New
- 16th Sept 2023, Novi Sod festival, Serbia
- 14th Sept 2023, Duc Des Lombards, Paris, France
- 13th Sept 2023, Blue Note Milano, Milan, Italy
- 11th Sept 2023, L’Archiduc, Brussels, Belgium
- 10th Sept 2023,L’Archiduc, Brussels, Belgium
From his groundbreaking synth programming on Miles Davis’ 80’s masterpieces “Tutu”, “Music From Siesta” and “Amandla” to his current projects, Jason Miles has consistently brought the highest level of artistry to his multi-faceted recordings (both as producer and artist) and live performances. Over the years, the multiple Grammy Award winning New York native has worked with a proverbial “who’s who” of contemporary music: Marcus Miller, Luther Vandross, David Sanborn, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Michael Brecker, The Crusaders, Ruben Blades, George Benson, Joe Sample, Herb Alpert, Vanessa Williams, Grover Washington Jr. and many more.
Jason currently has 1 club project (a one man show) and 3 festival projects:”Kind of New”,“Celebrating the Music of Weather Report” and “To Grover with Love” (celebrating the music of Grover Washington Jr.).
Jason’s one man show is entitled “The Extraordinary Journey of Jason Miles: A Musical Biography”. It is a retrospective built around a solo musical performance of Jason playing keyboards, enhanced with one of a kind, in the moment first hand stories and colorful anecdotes of the professional and personal relationships he had and continues to have with many music legends like Miles Davis and Luther Vandross. Jason’s unique gift of storytelling and his musical virtuosity makes this a fresh and entertaining show, which coincides with the release of his highly anticipated companion book and his new solo piano/keyboard- based album “Just For You”.
From his groundbreaking synth programming on Miles Davis’ 80s masterpieces “Tutu“, “Music From Siesta” and “Amandla” to his current projects, the multiple Grammy Award winning New York native has consistently brought the highest level of artistry to his multi-faceted recordings (as both producer and artist) and live performances. Jason Miles has not only helped shape the landscape of contemporary jazz, but also brought his rich sonic textures as a keyboardist, arranger and producer to artists in a multitude of genres, from R&B/pop to Latin Jazz, Brazilian music and even children’s music and country (producing Suzy Boguss’ “Sweet Danger“).
His many years of collaboration with Marcus Miller include not only the Miles Davis projects but also classic recordings by David Sanborn (“A Change of Heart”, “Close Up”, “Upfront”) and Luther Vandross (“The Power of Love”, “Any Love”, “Give Me the Reason”). Committed to pushing the envelope of sonic possibilities and bringing out the best in the artists and musicians he vibes with, Miles has worked over the years with a proverbial who’s who of contemporary music: Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Michael Brecker, The Crusaders, Ruben Blades, Freddy Cole, George Benson, Joe Sample, Herb Alpert, Vanessa Williams, Grover Washington Jr. and many more.
Jason Miles has made two very successful tribute albums dedicated to the late sax legend Grover Washington Jr. (for whom did the synth programming on his 1987 album “Strawberry Moon“). “To Grover With Love” (2000 – Artistry Music) sold in excess of 125,000 copies and his follow up “2 Grover With Love” (2008 – E1 Entertainment) made many Top 10 lists in various publications. In 2010 Jason, along with Grover’s wife Christine, produced and executive produced “Grover Live – Grover Washington Jr Live at the Paramount Center For The Arts”, a live show recorded in 1997 in Peekskill, New York, that was an immediate hit showcasing Grover and his band at the height of his brilliant creative powers. It was Washington’s first release in over ten years and his first live recording in 33 years. Miles’ tireless work in bringing this recording to the public – thereby introducing the power of Washington’s music to a new generation of contemporary jazz listeners – is reflective of his commitment to keeping the great music of the past alive while keeping his eye on and exploring exciting future possibilities. Jason Miles currently performs a show titled “To Grover With Love – Celebrating the Music of Grover Washington Jr.” which pays tribute to the legendary sax player Grover Washington Jr. by performing his 1980 Grammy Award winning bestselling album “Winelight” in full, along with some of his greatest classics, with an all-star band of the top players from NYC. Some of the songs featured in the show are “Winelight”, “Just the Two of Us”, “Inner City Blues”, “Let it Flow”, “Mr Magic”, “In the Name of Love”, “Sassy Stew”, “Take Me There”, “Soulful Strut” and “Moonstreams”.
Back in the year 2000, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Weather Report’s formation, Jason Miles produced the #1 album “Celebrating the music of Weather Report”, featuring an all-star cast including Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, David Sanborn, Victor Bailey, Omar Hakim, Joe Sample, Marcus Miller, John Scofield, Dennis Chambers and many others. Jason managed to remain true to the original music, while updating and opening up the arrangements. The album offered a bevy of delights to remind old-time Weather Report fans of the band’s greatness and helped introduce a new generation of listeners to this superb music, enticing them to check out the originals. In 2017 Jason decided to take “Celebrating the Music of Weather Report” project on the road, and he’s getting rave reviews. John Ernesto, the General Manager of the Berks Jazz Fest, said: “The Celebrating the Music of Weather Report was a highlight of the 2017 Berks Jazz Fest. Under the direction of Jason Miles, the sold-out concert featured an all-star ensemble that delivered a memorable performance that would have made Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter and company proud.” Most recently, on Saturday October 21st 2017, Jason Miles’ “Celebrating the Music of Weather Report” featuring Jeff Coffin & Carter Beauford (of the Dave Matthews Band), Philip Dizack, Shaun Martin (of Snarky Puppy), Mino Cinelu (percussion), Gerald Veasley (bass) & Karen Briggs (violin), performed at the Clearwater Jazz Festival (http://www.clearwaterjazz.com/festival-info/), opening for Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins. Jason Miles’ band got a standing ovation! For festivals Jason has a great pool of talent that he can pick from.
In 2008, “Global Noize“, Miles’ group formed around his partnership with DJ Logic, released its self-titled debut and performed at Berks and later at Jazz Fest in New Orleans; the live show included musicians from across the spectrum, including Christian Scott, John Popper, Bernie Worrell, Me’Shell Ndgeocello, Billy Martin, Suphala, Cyro Baptista and James Genus. Hailed by All Music Guide as “the 2000’s equivalent to the way “Weather Report” and “Return to Forever” drove the spirit of jazz fusion in the 70’s”, Global Noize – driven in part by Miles’ expansive, socially conscious vision – creates a boundary breaking, freewheeling swirl of jazz, funk, electronic, world fusion and blues that’s all at once grounded, trippy and sensual, and – with the ethereal vocals of Falu – also transcendent and spiritual. His latest album with “Global Noize” was called “Sly Reimagined” which mixed the legendary music of “Sly and the Family Stone” with 21st century grooves, It featured Roberta Flack, Nona Hendryx and original Family Stone drummer Greg Errico. It was named “Best contemporary jazz album of 2014” by Jazziz magazine.
“Kind of New” is Jason Miles’ most recent project. Inspired by Miles Davis’ “Cellar Door” sessions, it offers a journey into the Future of Jazz by creating a new vibe that mixes electric/acoustic grooves with virtuistic performances and infectious melodies. So far Jason Miles has released 3 albums with this project: “Kind of New” (2015), “Kind of New 2 : Blue is Paris” (2017) and “Black Magic” (2020). Artists who contributed to the project (record and/or live) include Michael Brecker, Theo Crocker, Jay Rodriguez, Reggie Washington, Gene Lake, Maya Azucena, Jimmy Bralower, Steven Wolfe, Tom Harrell, Russell Gunn, Ricky Kej, Patches Stewart, Jeff Coffin, Jukka Eskola, Ricardo Silveira, Ingrid Jensen, James Genus, Adam Dorn, Amanda Ruzza, Steve Wolf, Jon Wikan, Nir Felder, Cyro Baptista, Mike Clark and Jerry Brooks. The albums have been getting accolades from all over the world and the live performances have been leaving audiences wanting more.
This last decade alone, Jason has performed at many great festivals and stages around the world: Cape Town Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, Jazz Aspen, Umbria Jazz, North Sea Jazz, Jacksonville Jazz Fest, Jazz Fest Nola, Rio Das Ostras in Brazil, Tokyo Blue Note, Blue Note NYC and the Highline Ballroom to name a few.
In response to the COVID restrictions, Jason created a one man show entitled “The Extraordinary Journey of Jason Miles: A Musical Biography”. It is a retrospective built around a solo musical performance of Jason playing keyboards, enhanced with one of a kind, in the moment first hand stories and colorful anecdotes of the professional and personal relationships he had and continues to have with many music legends: What was it like spending four months up close in the studio with Luther creating hits? What elements of musical genius and words of wisdom did Miles Davis impart as part of Jason’s dynamic musical and personal friendship with him? etc. Jason’s unique gift of storytelling and his musical virtuosity makes this a fresh and entertaining show, which coincided with the release of his highly anticipated companion book and his new solo piano/keyboard- based album “Just For You”.
What other artists say
Jason Miles has raised the level of excellence for the musicians who have had the good fortune of working with him, myself included. The work he did with my friends, Miles Davis and Marcus Miller have helped to define the modern face of jazz music.
Kind of New
“At this gig at Ronnie Scotts, Jason Miles adapted his studio craftsmanship to free-flowing small-group jazz loosely inspired by the first electric bands that Miles Davis took on the road in the early 1970S. Tightly argued themes delivered sparse riffs, declamatory shouts and broody sustained brass harmonies. The experienced Reggie Washington on bass and Gene Lake on drums acted as one while Miles established mood and pulse with a single touch. But with trumpeter Theo Croker delivering spiky solos in a bold and brassy tone and multi-instrumentalist Jay Rodriguez playing with an edge that bordered on the avant-garde, “Kind of New” avoided imitation and lived up to its title. ” **** Review of the March 1st 2018 Show at Ronnie Scott’s, London.
A concert rich in ideas, definitley a fresh wind of tradition and future at the same time
A new chapter in fusions evolution
An incredible – unreal – out of this world groove! …This album energetic, poweful, dancing…
****
Jason works the Fender Rhodes and organ for maximum texture behind a piercing Jensen while a funky electric bass and power drums are joined by a range of horns and percussion support. A new chapter in fusion’s evolution .
As its title implies, “Kind of New” is a tribute to Miles Davis, but one that tries a different approach from the norm. For the most part it features Mr. Miles, a keyboardist, and Ms. Jensen, a trumpeter, playing new music that evokes Davis’s style in the early 1980s, when Mr. Miles was doing his synthesizer programming. The project’s personnel, which includes the veteran jazz-funk drummer Mike Clark, is solid.
Jensen’s horn runs the gamut as Miles’ electric backdrops and the tidy band gamely shift gears and switch colors like dressers: she jaunts a self-conscious, careful runway strut on “Faction of Cool”; nails carefully scripted hits on “Super City”; and gets comfy in the blues-drenched vernacular of “Shirley” (for singer Horn).
The album title is a play on Miles Davis‘ immortal Kind of Blue, but it’s not hubris for this team to reference the master; Jason Miles was Davis’ keyboard player for several years. This delightful disc features Ingrid Jensen on trumpet, and while the tracks occasionally evoke memories of Davis’ Jack Johnson period, the groove and melodies are rooted in a more accessible foundation.
Miles Davis fusing elements of rock and funk into his music was nothing short of revolutionary and people still get into heated debates over the quality of the music that Davis released during this period. But just as people overlook Maggot Brain when discussing P-Funk, this free flowing brand of jazz/funk/rock fusion sometimes gets excised from the contemporary jazz canon. So the conscious effort that Jason Miles and Ingrid Jensen make to rehabilitate it on Kind of New is definitely welcome. Solidly Recommended .
Miles and Jensen hit it far out of the park
Using Miles Davis’ expansive output as their core inspiration, these contemporary jazz luminaries have delivered an impressive release that seamlessly bridges the past, present and future of their genre. It’s an aural time machine that explores how Miles might have harnessed his muse if he was still around today.
Jason Miles on Miles: befitting the title be prepared for a Kind of New re-imagining of Miles Davis with Ingrid Jensen’s probing, facile trumpet out front.
The Jason Miles and Ingrid Jensen collaboration on the “Kind of New” project is a winner. Ingrid’s brilliant trumpet brings their compelling compositions to life. I look forward to presenting Ingrid and Jason and “Kind of New” at the 25th annual Berks Jazz Fest in April 2015.
Want to hear a record that represents a 21st century sound?” – “Kind of New” has a genuine modern groove and yet plenty of compositional substance. Ingrid Jensen is the perfect partner for Jason Miles.
To Grover With Love
To Grover With Love,” Jason Miles’ tribute to the late saxophonist Grover Washington Jr., brought the full house to its feet over and over in a concert presented by the Berks Arts Council as part of the VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest on Sunday night in the Sovereign Performing Arts Centre.
Miles’ set’s most striking characteristics were its inspired musicianship and confident improvisational approach. This rock-solid foundation provided the band freedom to flex their collective musical muscle and soar. One came away breathless, preoccupied by a single thought: Grover lives.
The Jason Miles / Grover tribute was a major hit at jazz on the vine @ the osthoff resort. We hit sellout again this year, and it was in no small part to the package and show put together by Jason.
Celebrating the Music of Weather Report
The Celebrating the Music of Weather Report was a highlight of the 2017 Berks Jazz Fest. Under the direction of Jason Miles, the sold-out concert featured an all-star ensemble that delivered a memorable performance that would have made Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter and company proud.
This celebration offers a bevy of delights to remind Weather Report fans of the band’s greatness; it may even help introduce a new generation of listeners to this superb music, hopefully enticing them to check out the originals. 4 1/2 ****
Masterfully produced and arranged by Jason Miles, this wonderful recording treads respectfully on what many musicians and producers consider sacred ground, while at the same time bringing a fresh perspective to songs that have been with us for more than 20 years.