Blue Note New York announces Marcus Miller’s two-week residency kicking off this April 2022. From April 12 to April 17, and April 19 to 24, the 2x-Grammy Award-winning bassist will perform two shows a night at 8 pm and 10:30 pm ET. Over the course of his residency, Marcus’ sets will encompass all aspects of his 4-decade career, showcasing music that draws on his legendary bass playing alongside his prolific composition work for artists such as Miles Davis, Luther Vandross, David Sanborn and Aretha Franklin. He’ll hit the Blue Note stage backed by a phenomenal house band featuring Russell Gunn on Trumpet, Julian Pollack on Keyboards, Donald Hayes on Alto Sax, and Marcus Gilmore and Louis Cato on drums.
“I’ve noticed over the past several years that the Blue Note New York has really stepped out by presenting all types of amazing musical artists in interesting settings. I’m very excited to be part of this,” Marcus Miller shares. “During my 2-week residency, I will explore my entire musical career from funk and R&B to fusion and straight-ahead Jazz. I look forward to bringing together interesting combinations of musicians to perform music from my collaborations with Miles Davis to Luther Vandross, David Sanborn and my own solo career. Each night will be a musical journey–musicians from my past and also from my future; things I’ve done in the past and things I’m about to do! Some guests will be musicians you know and some you don’t yet know but WILL. No matter what night you come it’s going to be an incredible time!”
Marcus’ Blue Note residency features a variety of musically themed nights, including a Miles Davis tribute, a Ladies Of Jazz & Soul Night and an all-star Bass Jam. More information about these nights is below.
April 12 – 13: Marcus Miller Laid Black:
The opening night’s focus is on Marcus’ own music, showcasing tunes from his vast catalog of solo albums including the Grammy-winning M2, Afrodeezia and 2018’s Laid Black.
April 14 – 16: Marcus Miller Presents “We Want Miles/Electric Miles”:
Members of Miles Davis’ 1981 “comeback band” – Mike Stern, Bill Evans and Mino Cinelu – join Marcus to perform music from the We Want Miles, Star People, and The Man With the Horn recordings. The group is also set to explore Miles’ “Electric period,” which includes everything from 1970’s Bitches Brew to 1986’s Tutu, the latter album composed and produced by Marcus Miller.
April 17: Marcus and Friends – A Night of Fusion, Funk & Soul:
Details To Be Announced.
April 19 – 21: Ladies of Jazz & Soul
Special guests include Ledisi & Lalah Hathaway:
Marcus shines a spotlight on the ladies of soul, featuring a mix of well-known special guests alongside up-and-coming female artists.
April 22 – 23: The Nexus Project:
Fans get to hear a special preview of Marcus’ next musical project, highlighting his adventurous path forward.
April 24: Marcus Miller’s Bass Jam:
Marcus’ residency closes with an all-star bass jam, featuring icons of the electric and acoustic bass such as Victor Wooten, and several rising bassists.
**Additional surprises and special guests will be announced soon. For more information on Marcus’ residency, please visit www.bluenotejazz.com
About Marcus Miller:
World renowned jazz bassist Marcus Miller has been an influential presence on the jazz scene for the past 40 years. He is the recipient of numerous Grammy and international achievement awards including winning the Grammy for Best Contemporary Jazz Album in 2001; the 2013 Edison Award For Lifetime Achievement In jazz; the 2010 Victoire du Jazz cultural award and the 2019 recipient of Monaco’s Cultural Merit of Distinction awarded by the Prince and Princess of Monaco. Miller is widely recognized for his long resume of collaborations with esteemed artists such as Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, George Benson, Al Jarreau, Lalah Hathaway, Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter to name a few. Miller’s iconic bass sound can be heard on countless classics from Bill Wither’s “Just The Two Of Us” to Luther Vandross’ “Never Too Much”. Miller’s 20-year writing and producing partnership with Luther Vandross resulted in 13 consecutive platinum selling albums. Miller was also the architect of numerous David Sanborn hits. His work with Sanborn along with renowned artists such as Grover Washington Jr., Dave Grusin, Bob James and Joe Sample helped shape the sound of jazz and funk in the 80s and 90s, creating an entire sub-genre of funky jazz and earning Miller the title of one of the most influential bassists of this generation. As notable, Miller was pivotal in Miles Davis’ career, composing, producing and arranging three ground-breaking albums which helped define the sound of Davis’ final era – including the well-know album and title song “Tutu” which Miller wrote in honor of South African activist Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The album won two Grammy’s and is often described as one of Davis’ most significant contributions to the canon of contemporary jazz. As an artist, Marcus maintains a successful solo career with over 13 critically acclaimed solo albums. Marcus is a UNESCO Artist for Peace and works closely with the Hancock Institute Of Jazz to unite musicians around the world in celebration of Jazz on the 30th of April each year.
About Blue Note New York:
Since 1981, Blue Note has been a cultural institution in New York City and one of the premiere jazz clubs in the world. Blue Note strives to preserve the history of jazz, and the club is a place where progression and innovation – the foundations of jazz – are encouraged and practiced on a nightly basis. In addition to the main acts that feature the likes of Robert Glasper, Pat Metheny, Christain McBride, Joshua Redman, Ron Carter and Chris Botti, Blue Note regularly showcases up-and-coming jazz, soul, hip-hop, R&B and funk artists. After 40 years of success, Blue Note continues to carry the torch for jazz into the 21st century in the cultural heart of New York, Greenwich Village.
Blue Note New York on the web:
https://www.instagram.com/bluenotenyc/
By: Bass Magazine