Bassist/Composer Don Miller has spent much of the past three decades performing, recording, and traveling throughout the United States and the world with such artists as Dizzy Gillespie, Tony Bennett, Ramsey Lewis, George Benson, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Lou Donaldson, Clark Terry, Ira Sullivan, Buddy DeFranco, Richie Cole, Frank Wess, Nat Adderly, Larry Coryell, Mark Murphy, Freddy Cole, Slide Hampton, Frank Foster, David Amram, Dakota Staton, and literally too many others to list here (see Credits list).
As a double threat on acoustic bass and an arsenal of various electric basses, he has appeared in the U.S. and on World Tours with pop artists such as Clarence Clemons (Bruce Springsteen), Britney Spears’ “Tour 2001,†O’ Town, Enrique Iglesias, and served as musical director & bassist for N’Sync. He has played virtually every major venue, from Madison Square Garden and Carnegie Hall to the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
In addition to an extensive history as “hired gun†to many of the greatest artists of the 20th century and beyond, he has developed a much heralded solo career, as well as many years of experience as a distinguished educator. Don has appeared on such major network and national radio and television shows as ABC’s “Good Morning America†as well as the Latin Grammy Awards, many appearances on MTV, and as a musical guest on “Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz†on NPR radio.
“dial M for Bass,†Don’s current album, has received fantastic praise and critical acclaim as well as extensive national airplay from Los Angeles’ KKJZ to “Jazz with Bob Parlocha,†syndicated on over 240 radio stations. Additionally, he has been the feature of interviews and full feature articles in some of the most prestigious publications in the industry, such as BASSICS Magazine (voted 1 bass magazine in the world) and one of the preeminent Jazz magazines in the world, JAZZ IMPROV, to name a mere few.
Don’s formal academic education is augmented by years of extensive study under such distinguished educators as Jamie Faunt (Faunt School of Creative Music, Los Angeles), Vincent Bredice (Hart Conservatory), John Novello (Author, “The Contemporary Keyboardist†& Leader of the “Super Group†NIACIN with Billy Sheehan and Dennis Chambers), Lew Berryman (Author, Intonation Plus), and tutelage under the late, great, Jaco Pastorious.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Don garnered most of his musical experience while living in N.Y., Los Angeles, and Miami, as well as his travels worldwide. Having made the trek back “home†to New York in mid 2005, he now resides in the Hudson Valley, NY. Don is currently completing preparations for his follow up album to “dial M for Bass,†writing a comprehensive bass method book, recording an educational video, performing live, and continuing his work as an educator.