Melvin Maurice Miller

He is as charismatic as his music is captivating. Critics have aptly named him a composer, educator, musician and performing artist. His name, Melvin Maurice Miller, is synonymous with the words: Masterful, Multifarious, Magnetic. Born and raised in one of the largest cities historically known for great jazz and jazz greats, Chicago, Illinois - it's no small wonder that music would become his life's passion.

Melvin began playing the trumpet at the age of eight. Aside from being in the traditional school bands, he participated in the Chicago All-City High School Jazz and Concert Bands, taking the position of principal trumpet in both groups. Melvin's dedication paid off by earning him a scholarship in music. He decided to continue his studies at Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education.

The list of his influences is as far reaching and wide spread as the art form many call African-American Classical Music. But when asked who was the single most significant influence in his musical career Melvin identifies his father, for whom he is named. That influence has been the impetus of which Melvin has become a world-renowned musician playing a trumpet that boasts a sound that is soulful, rebellious and poetic all at once. The sound of his horn and the style with which he performs comes from a variety of influences. He has learned from listening to many of the great masters. His sound: Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Lee Morgan, Doc Severinsen, Freddie Hubbard, Wynton Marsalis. His phrasing: the vocals of Sarah Vaughn , Nancy Wilson and Ella Fitzgerald to name a few.

Just as music has no boundaries, Melvin's talent has made him a world renowned musician. He has performed in Orlando, Florida for the opening of Epcot Center; Tokyo, Japan for the Mirage Bowl; clubs in Osaka, Japan; Switzerland for the Montreaux Jazz Festival; Negril, Jamaica; other cities in Europe, and the United States. He has traveled and/or performed with artists such as the Temptations, The Dells, The O'jays, James Brown, Wynton Marsalis, Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Hargrove, Miles Davis, Dr. Clark Terry and Pamela Anderson of "Incognito". Melvin has opened for Bob James, Alex Bugnon, Norman Brown and Bobby Lyle. He has recorded with the Tennessee State University Jazz Ensemble, Atlanta artist Carol Albert, rapper Malik, The Florida Mass Choir, blues singer Sandra Hall, and Speech of Arrested Development. He also performs in the Curtis Mayfield/Repercussion music video of "Let's Do It Again."

Choosing Atlanta, Georgia as his place of residence was like choosing another road leading to success. Melvin is a full time middle school music educator/band director by day and full time professional musician by night. He is a well-rounded musician, with the training to perform both classical and jazz. Melvin held the position of principal trumpet with the African American Philharmonic Orchestra of Atlanta. However, Melvin's preference is Adult Contemporary Jazz, and if you heard him play you would know the emphasis is well placed. His primary stomping grounds have been the Cafe 290, Just Jazz, The Penta Hotel, The A-Train, Topaz, Teddy's Live,The Crow's Nest, Centennial Olympic Park, Vegas Nights and A Point of View at the top of The Hilton Hotel. Melvin and his band 'Bout Tyme have been featured on the cable television show Beyond The Barriers. His composition, Precious Gift, is regularly played on 104.1 WJZF's Jazz Cafe. Melvin is the Musical Consultant/Director for the Ms. Fulton County Scholarship Pageant and performs with his band at various venues. In 1997 he released A Christmas Gift.

Friends and fans celebrate him as a man of unimaginable creativity. He is affectionately called "young man with a horn," a title bestowed on him by his mother. Melvin and his music are: Complex. Genuine. Progressive.