Check out my new article in this month's edition of Modern Drummer (Feb. 2008)
Here is a portion of the article
New York City-based drummer Allison Miller defies all boundaries, bringing her individual sound to many types of music while preserving their stylistic authenticity. Allison goes from playing with world-renowned songwriting vocalists Ani DiFranco, Natalie Merchant, and Erin McKeown, to touring with avant-garde saxophonist Marty Ehrlich and legendary organist Doctor Lonnie Smith. She approaches each of these musical situations with her own stylistic identity and a creative, fresh and energetic approach.
Allison is also an avid composer and singer. She currently has a band called "emma" with Erin McKeown. They are working on their debut album, which will be released in early 2008. She also showcases her piano trio compositions with her band, TILT, and continues to celebrate her debut release – 5am Stroll (Foxhaven Records). This critically-acclaimed album was produced by Lenny White and features Boom Tic Boom: the masterful Ray Drummond on bass, Steve Wilson on alto saxophone and alto flute, Virginia Mayhew on tenor saxophone, and Bruce Barth on piano. Together they join Allison in representing eight beautiful renditions of her own original compositions.
Allison is also a collaborative member of Agrazing Maze – comprised of Ingrid Jensen (trumpet), Enrique Haneine (piano), Carlo DeRosa (bass) and Allison on drums. These four exciting, emerging musicians create, compose and improvise as a whole, creating unique compositions and a distinct band sound. Their album, At the End of the Day, was released on Foxhaven Records in November of 2005 and was voted a Top 10 Jazz Record of 2005 in All About Jazz NY.
Allison began playing the drums at age 10. She quickly began studying with a top teacher in the DC area – Walter Salb. In 1991, she was featured in Downbeat magazine's "Up and Coming" spotlight. She was soon playing in clubs in Washington DC and eventually continued her passion for music by receiving a Bachelor of Music Performance degree at West Virginia University. After graduating summa cum laude in 1996, she moved to NYC to begin her career as a freelance drummer and continue her studies with the great Michael Carvin.
Allison has since performed and recorded with Natalie Merchant, Ani DiFranco, Pino Daniele, Kenny Barron, Norah Jones, Doctor Lonnie Smith, Steven Bernstein, Ray Drummond, Peter Bernstein, Erin McKeown, Sheila Jordan, Marty Ehrlich, George Garzone, Melissa Ferrick, Kitty Margolis, Michael Fienstein, Shahin Novrasli, Toshi Reagon, Mike Stern, Rachel Z, Kevin Mahogany, Ingrid Jensen, Paul Bollenback, Barbara Dennerlein, Mimi Fox, John McNeil, Jenny Scheinman, Virginia Mayhew, Bruce Barth, Mark Soskin, Harvie S, poet sensation Alix Olsen and the band Betty. Allison's drumming and composing have also been featured on the Showtime hit series, The L Word. In addition, Allison has been chosen by the US State Department to tour East Africa, Eurasia and Southeast Asia as a Jazz Ambassador.
Allison recently founded the "Walter Salb Memorial Scholarship Foundation" in honor of her late teacher and mentor. The foundation annually provides a promising young musician a monetary award directed toward furthering their studies in music.
She also holds an adjunct teaching position at Kutztown University and gives lessons and master classes at additional universities and high schools throughout the United States, including NYU, UMASS Amherst, University of Alaska, Elon University, University of Southern Florida, West Virginia University, Berkeley Jazz School, University of the Pacific, UC Berkeley and the University of Maryland. She recently had one of her lessons published in DRUM magazine and has also been featured in Downbeat, Jazz Times, Modern Drummer, All About Jazz NY, and Female Musician magazine.
Allison endorses Yamaha drums, Zildjian cymbals, Vic Firth sticks and mallets, and LP Percussion.
contact / management:
emily lichter at public emily
413.527.4900 /
[email protected]
