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“What is doubtless one of the most creative jazz productions to come out of Canada”
-Juan Rodriguez, Montreal Gazette
“A very happening tenor player who has an able ear for composition”
-Katie Malloch, CBC Radio
“Miller is not only a thoughtful and melodic player, but also a creative composer who manages the rare feat of progressive and accessible at the same time”
-Alex Hutchinson, The Ottawa Citizen
“Some of the best original contemporary jazz I’ve heard recently”
-Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide
“Challenging and appealing”
-Irwin Block, Montreal Gazette (5 Stars)
“Smart and full of joy”
-Mike Chamberlain, The Hour (Montreal)
Ever since he first picked up the saxophone at the age of 10, Joel Miller knew he wanted to be a jazz musician. He grew up in a house full of music. His father was a classical composer and professor at Mount Alison University. When he was 18, he moved to Montreal to study jazz at McGill University and has pursued this goal and built a solid career around his original compositions that feature deceptively simple melodies combined with complex harmonic structures.
The marshy wetlands of his hometown play host to the musical inspiration behind his latest recording, entitled Tantramar, featuring his band Mandala. It’s his sixth studio effort overall and his first release on the New York based ArtistShare Label that represents other contemporary jazz instrumentalists such as Maria Schneider, Bill Frisell and Jim Hall. As composer, arranger and leader of Mandala, Miller deftly navigates the listener into his melodic world of engaging hooks and rhythms with mesmerizing sonic loops, subtle textures, as well as challenging harmonies and meter. He draws us into this exquisite sonic ambiance introducing a vast range of musical influences from folk, rock and blues to world music and direct references from nature —including birdsong from the inimitable Chickadee.
Throughout his already prolific career, Miller has established a steady following among jazz and contemporary music listeners who yearn for melodic yet challenging compositions. He has shared his musical vision with many exciting artists and has collaborated with the likes of Kurt Rosenwinkel, Ben Monder, Ingrid Jensen and played with such luminaries as Gary Versace, Denzal Sinclaire, Oscar Stagnaro, Steve Amirault, Jeff Johnson and Brad Turner. Past projects that showcase Miller’s range include a performance at the Montreal International Jazz Festival with a 20-voice choir Effusion, led by vocalist and director Amelia McMahon. Most recently he played with Darcy Argue’s Secret Society, and performed a nation-wide tour of Mexico with Ingrid Jensen and a live recording for Radio Canada with the Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra. Miller frequently tours in Europe with his Danish collaborator and co-conspirator, guitarist Torben Waldorff.
Miller’s Montreal band, Mandala, is an outstanding group of musicians featuring Thom Gossage, drums; Fraser Hollins, bass; Bill Mahar, trumpet and Flugelhorn; reedsman Bruno Lamarche on tenor sax, clarinet and flute; and Kenny Bibace on guitar. Their agility, open-mindedness and ability to interpret Joel’s compositions and bring them to life ensure this is one group that will continue to thrive and collaborate on future projects. Mark Miller, renowned jazz critic, has compared his tone to the smoky soulfulness of Stan Getz, but it’s the lyrical, almost spiritual quality that draws people in. The wistful, yearning notes are achingly authentic while the overall spirit of his music is optimistic and affirmative.
Joel has been the recipient of an array of accolades over the years including the Grand Jazz Award at the Montreal International Jazz Fest and an Opus Award for concert of the year from le Conseil québécois de la musique. His recording career spans 12 years, starting with his debut album, Find a Way (1996), Playgrounds (1998), Sky Beneath My Feet (1999), …and then everything started to look different… (2001), Mandala (2004) and Tantramar (2008).
Recent highlights include performing and recording with Canadian luminaries Mike Rud, André White, Kevin Dean, Jan Jarczyk, Vanessa Rodrigues, the Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra, Roberto López and Carlos Jímenez. Miller is currently composing a new choral work and collaborating with Henry Hey on a concert for the upcoming edition of the Montreal International Jazz Festival. In addition, he is developing an exciting new project with virtuoso guitarist, Eric St-Laurent. Upcoming projects include a tour of Canada in summer 2009 to promote his recent release, Tantramar.
Joel commence à jouer au saxophone à l’âge de 10 ans, puis il quitte sa ville natale de Sackville, Nouveau-Brunswick à l’âge de 18 ans pour étudier à Montréal pour suivre son rêve d’être musicien de jazz. Après avoir terminé ses études à McGill, il réussit à développer une bonne réputation et il enregistre ses compositions originales qui présentent des mélodies simples combinées avec des structures harmoniques complexes. Depuis 1996, il enregistre 6 albums ; Find a Way (1996), Playgrounds (1998), Sky Beneath My Feet (1999), …and everything started to look different… (2001), Mandala (2004) et Tantramar (2008).
À travers une carrière déjà prolifique, Miller est suivi par un sérieux public amateur de compositions originales de jazz et de musique contemporaine. Son dernier album, Tantramar, est un excellent exemple de sa diversité et de ses compétences musicales. Miller fait naviguer habilement l’audience dans son monde mélodique aux rythmes engageant, de méandres soniques hypnotisant, de textures subtiles d’harmonies et de mètres complexes. Il nous présente une vaste gamme d’influences musicales de folk, rock et blues ainsi que de la musique du monde et des allusions directes à la nature comme le chant d’oiseau, l’inimitable de la mésange à tête noire. Mark Miller, critique de jazz très connu, a comparé son ‘son’ à celui de Stand Getz, en revanche c’est la qualité lyrique, presque spirituelle qui séduit ses fans. Les notes sont authentiques à pleurer, mais l’esprit général de sa musique reste toujours optimiste et positif.
Durant ces années, Joel Miller a remporté plusieurs prix et acclamations tels que le Grand Prix du Festival international de Jazz de Montréal et le prix d’Opus pour le concert de l’année. Il a joué, et a collaboré avec de nombreux artistes innovateurs et a partagé sa vision musicale avec Kurt Rosenwinkel, Ben Monder, et Gary Versace ainsi que Denzal Sinclaire, Ingrid Jensen et Brad Turner.
Récemment, Joel Miller a eu l’occasion de jouer et d’enregistrer avec le Roberto López Project, l’orchestre Christine Jensen Jazz et Carlos Jímenez. Il a d’autres projets prévus pour l’été 2009: une tournée canadienne pour promouvoir Tantramar, ainsi que des concerts avec Ingrid Jensen quand elle fera une tournée au Canada aussi avec son groupe. Actuellement, Miller compose une nouvelle œuvre vocale pour chœur et en conjonction avec Henry Hey, il organise un concert pour le Festival international de Jazz de Montréal. De plus, il développe un nouveau projet avec le guitariste virtuose, Eric St-Laurent.
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