Project Description
Social Media & other links
Territory of Representation
- Non-exclusive Worldwide (excluding North America)
Availability
- Festivals 2020 & upon request
Recent Shows
- To Grover with Love
Sept 19th 2019, Keystone Korner, Baltimore, MD, USA - April 27th 2019, Moffat Library, Washingtonville, New York, USA
- Kind of New
December 27th 2018, Nublu, New York, USA
March 3rd 2018, Jazz Club Tonne, Dresden, German
March 2nd 2018, Zig Zag Club, Berlin, Germany
March 1st 2018, Ronnie Scotts, London, UK
February 27th & 28th 2018, Duc des Lombards, Paris, France
February 26th 2018, TBA, Foggia, Italy
February 25th 2018, Blue Note, Milan, Italy
From his groundbreaking synth programming on Miles Davis’ 80’s masterpieces “Tutu”, “Music From Siesta” and “Amandla” to his current projects “Global Noize” and “Kind of New”, 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 Grammy Award winning New York native has worked with a proverbial “who’s who” of contemporary music: Marcus Miller, 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 3 festival projects:”Kind of New”,“Celebrating the Music of Weather Report” and “To Grover with Love” (celebrating the music of Grover Washington Jr.).
“Kind of New” is 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. It has been getting accolades from all over the world and the live performance has been leaving audiences wanting more.
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 remained true to the original music, while updating and opening up the arrangements. In 2017 Jason Miles decided to take “Celebrating the Music of Weather Report” on the road, and he has been getting rave reviews ever since.
“To Grover with Love” 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 like “Inner City Blues” and “Soulful Strut” with an all-star band of the top players from NYC. In addition to conceiving, producing and arranging two very successful tribute recordings dedicated to Grover, Jason Miles – who did the synth programming on Grover’s 1987 album “Strawberry Moon” – has also produced and executive produced “Grover Live”, a 2010 issue of a live concert Grover performed in New York in 1997.
From his groundbreaking synth programming on Miles Davis’ 80s masterpieces “Tutu“, “Music From Siesta” and “Amandla” to his current projects “Global Noize” and “Kind of New”, the 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.”. 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” 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 the festivals in 2019 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 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. On the album Jason is joined by Ingrid Jensen, Jay Rodriguez, James Genus, Jeff Coffin, Adam Dorn, Amanda Ruzza, Steve Wolf, Jon Wikan, Nir Felder, Cyro Baptista, Mike Clark and Jerry Brooks. It has been getting accolades from all over the world and the live performance has been leaving audiences wanting more.
Jason continues to produce artists for the future and bringing his experience to another generation of artists and musicians. He recently taught a semester at the prestigious The New School in NYC and brought the awareness of Electric Miles Davis to students who were amazed by the depth of his knowledge and work.
Looking back on his fascinating, far-reaching career, Miles says, “I’ve learned so much from the great players I have been fortunate enough to work with and they have made me a much better musician and person”, he adds. “I’m always thinking about the listeners and the audience and how important it is to bring them something special that can make a difference in their lives. The industry has presented its challenges along the way, but there has been so much beauty among the disappointment. All I ever wanted was a chance to play music and make a living at it, and I’m grateful to have had these rich experiences, surrounded by so many talented and loving people. I wouldn’t trade these moments for anything.”
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.
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.