Author Topic: Marcus Miller (Read 284 times)

rockbassist · « **on:** November 10, 2006, 07:42:36 PM »

I just bought tickets to see Marcus Miller at the Berklee Performing Arts Center in Boston. He is performing on Dec 8 with several Berklee students. The concert is called The Music of Marcus Miller. All tickets are general admission and only $25. I can't wait to see him. I play mostly rock and blues but his tone is the best I have ever heard. Victor Wooten is also playing there later this month and Bela Fleck and the Flecktones are out on tour.

jacko · « **Reply #1 on:** November 13, 2006, 04:33:50 AM »

I have tickets for the flecktones in Glasgow in January. Can't wait!!

Graeme

jazzyvee · « **Reply #2 on:** November 13, 2006, 05:21:53 PM »

I read in Jazzwise that Bela fleck and the Flecktones are in london also in January. I'm gonna try to get to that one.
Jazzyvee

smokin_dave · « **Reply #3 on:** November 13, 2006, 09:19:35 PM »

That will be the best 25'er you'll spend in a while.
Marcus Miller is thrilling.

edwin · « **Reply #4 on:** November 13, 2006, 11:17:38 PM »

I wish he would come to Colorado. I haven't seen him since 1982, with Miles at UMass Amherst and again at the Concert on the Common in Boston. He (and the rest of the band) were just stunning.

Edwin
Long time fan.

rami · « **Reply #5 on:** November 20, 2006, 05:19:57 PM »

I saw Marcus a few years ago in Montreal at the Jazz festival. With all that slapping and popping, he must refret his Bass with every change of strings! He does have a great tone.

rockbassist · « **Reply #6 on:** November 20, 2006, 07:16:57 PM »

I am not a big fan of slapping and popping but I LOVE his tone. I can't believe it's only $25 to see him at Berklee. I would pay ten times that amount. He is playing with students but who cares? A good friend of mine attended Berklee with Paul McCartney's drummer Abe Laboriel. He said the school only picks the best of the best students to play at these shows. It will be great. Victor Wooten is also coming to Boston. I won't have chance to see him but it's nice to see these guys doing shows here at home.

rockbassist · « **Reply #7 on:** December 09, 2006, 08:22:12 PM »

Last night, I saw Marcus Miller at the Berklee Performing Arts Center in Boston. It was an AMAZING show. Not only was he incredible, he came across as very down to earth and easy going. He played with students and gave each of them solos during almost every song. He also directed the band while on stage. Remember the name David Ginyard. He is from Winnsboro, SC. He is an incredible bass player and traded licks with Marcus all night. He looked so comfortable that several times during the show Marcus smiled at him and shook his head in apparent disbelief at how good this guy was. Ginyard didn't seem to be the least bit intimidated by Marcus but as good as he was, he wasn't cocky about it. He is going to be a star. Saxophonist Alex Han from Scottsdale, AZ was another huge surprise as was drummer Anthony Steele from Boston. This was my first time seeing Marcus and even my wife who doesn't like Jazz was impressed. I got home at 11:30PM and I have been playing my Alembic ever since. Almost 24 hours in a row. Am I elegible for the Guiness Book of World Records? Tickets were $25 and general admission. I was 3 rows from the stage. It was better than a religious experience. To guitar players Clapton is god. If that's true then Marcus is our god! Part of me felt like I wasn't worthy to ever play bass again and part of me was motivated to study even harder. Great show!

jazzyvee · « **Reply #8 on:** December 10, 2006, 03:56:25 AM »

Sounds a fantastic night. I always get inspired to practice more when I see great players.

In terms of pure brilliant musicianship I think there are two concerts I've seen that really stand out as being the most amazing and awe inspiring performances.

Whilst on vacation in California, I saw Stanley Clarke & Friends at the coach house, California in around 1993 where he was with Larry Carlton, Billy Cobham, Deron Johnson & Najee.

Around the late nineties I saw the Chick Corea Elektric Band at the Leeds Jazz festival. That was Chick, Eric Marienthal, Jimmy Earl, Gary Novak and cant remember guitarist name.

Those were just phenominal musical landmarks in my life and really reminded me of the power music has in the hands of great players and performers.

Jazzyvee

David Houck · « **Reply #9 on:** December 10, 2006, 10:03:07 AM »

Nice review Kevin; thanks!

5stringho · « **Reply #10 on:** December 10, 2006, 11:03:31 AM »

Had the pleasure to see Victor Wooten on his Soul Curcus tour in Columbus, Ohio last year. My Jaw is still out of whack!! But for pure musicianship, , the Stanley Clark show I caught in Dayton a couple years ago was the shiznit. Stanley. What else can you say? Especially when his Bass player was Armand Sabol-Lecco. I don't know what they put in the water in Cameroon, but they sure develop great Bassists (Richard Bona, et al). If you ever get the opportunity to see any of them, RUN!!! Mike...

jazzyvee · « **Reply #11 on:** December 10, 2006, 03:21:09 PM »

Don't worry 5Stringho, I will be running to get my tickets whenever those guys come to town.

Jazzyvee

rockbassist · « **Reply #12 on:** December 11, 2006, 07:18:51 PM »

I have to be honest. I have never been a big jazz fan. I think it's because I get bored lsitening to someone do a 15 minute solo. I have always admired the musicianship of jazz and blues artists but I am more a fan of rock, blues and country. My favorite players are Paul McCartney, John Entwistle, Craig Macregor of Foghat, John Deacon, Tom Hamilton and Marcus Miller because I love his tone. However, after seeing my first jazz concert, I have a new appreciation for it. It was one of the best shows I have ever seen. I am a self taught musician who was accepted to Berklee in the early 1980's but never attended the school. My keyboard player has 2 degrees from Berklee and has told me that I am the best in the pocket player he has ever played with. However, my improvisational skills are severely lacking. Any advice? I have been playing for close to 30 years but always in structured settings. I am looking to expand my repertoire. Thanks.

bob · « **Reply #13 on:** December 11, 2006, 08:56:09 PM »

Wow, tough question. Interesting enough that I think you should start a new thread on the subject, with the same introduction.

Not that I have anything against Marcus... I really enjoyed some of his work with Miles, and very much like his own The Sun Don't Lie, but there was some live double album he put out a couple of years ago that I didn't make it through twice before unloading it (I know, at least a few people here really loved it).

Anyway, I think it would be a great topic to discuss, and I'm sure there are lots of good ideas among the people here.
-Bob

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #14 on:** December 12, 2006, 05:27:39 AM »

Hey, Kevin, just for a way of thinking about it, try taking a look at Fareed Haque's webpage, here - http://www.fareed.com/lessons.html - I call your attention especially to An Organic Approach to Improvization and Taking the Fear Out of Jazz Improvization. Fareed is Professor of Music at Northern Illinois University, guitarist with Fareed Haque Group and Garage Mahal, and possessed of more chops than any 10 people have a right to. (And a nice guy)

Peter