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Allison Miller

NYC-based drummer Allison Miller defies all boundaries bringing her individual sound to diverse types of music while preserving their stylistic authenticity. Allison goes from playing with legendary songwriting vocalists Ani DiFranco, Brandi Carlile and Natalie Merchant, 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 was chosen as “Rising Star Drummer” in Downbeat’s 53rd Annual Critics Poll.

Raised in the Washington D.C. area, Miller began playing the drums at the age of ten, studying with Walter Salb, and was soon thereafter featured in Downbeat magazine's "Up and Coming" section in 1991. Five years later, after graduating from West Virginia University she moved to New York City to study with Michael Carvin and Lenny White and pursue what has became a fruitful career as a freelance drummer, composer, producer, and teacher. Miller’s talents have landed her gigs in the mainstream music world, with artists like Natalie Merchant, Ani DiFranco, and most recently, singer Brandi Carlile; and her jazz skills have been embraced by everyone from avant-garde saxophonist Marty Ehrlich to organ legend Dr. Lonnie Smith, with a wide range of leaders in between, including Steven Bernstein, Kenny Barron, Erik Friedlander, Mark Helias, Ray Drummond, Peter Bernstein, Sheila Jordan, George Garzone, Mike Stern, Rachel Z, Kevin Mahogany, Bruce Barth, Mark Soskin, and Harvie S.

Allison is currently celebrating the release of her second solo leader album, BOOM TIC BOOM (Foxhaven Records, March 2010). This album pays homage to and is inspired by all of the important women in Millers life. The album features pianist Myra Melford, violinist Jenny Scheinman, and bassist Todd Sickafoose. Together, they musically collaborate, creatively expounding on compositions written primarily by Miller and Melford.

She also leads or co-leads several other bands, including EMMA, with singer/songwriter Erin McKeown; TILT, with pianist Taylor Eigsti and bassist Jon Evans; and Agrazing Maze, with trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, pianist Enrique Haneine, and bassist Carlo DeRosa. Miller has also been recognized by the Showtime network, which featured her music in the series The L Word, and by the US State Department when she was chosen to tour East Africa, Eurasia and Southeast Asia as a Jazz Ambassador.

Allison also produced the critically acclaimed children's album. Ask the Planet (2009). Organized by the Biomimicry Institute, Ask the Planet connects environmentalism with song, while educating children about respecting the environment and learning from nature's plan.

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Album Review

Todd Sickafoose: Bear Proof

Read "Bear Proof" reviewed by Vic Albani


Era dai fasti di Tiny Resistors (uscito nel 2008 per la Cryptogramophone dell'amico Jeff Gauthier e che invitiamo a riascoltare per la bellezza che lo ammanta) che il signor Todd Sickafoose non regalava al mondo un nuovo lavoro. Inneggiato da più voci quale coerente ed intelligentissimo musicista nonché compositore e produttore Sickafoose è stato talmente occupato da non avere avuto tempo per dilettarsi ancora una volta con l'idea che lo ha subito posto all'attenzione del mondo musicale sin ...

Album Review

Jo Lawry: Acrobats

Read "Acrobats" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi


Ha trovato un intrigante, e quanto mai riuscito, equilibrio tra sperimentazione e mainstream la cantante australiana Jo Lawry nel suo pieno ritorno al jazz dopo il debutto del 2008 con I Want to Be Happy. Il merito va condiviso con la contrabbassista Linda May Han Oh e la batterista Allison Miller, magnifiche co-leader di un progetto di piena partecipazione collettiva. Dopo quell'acclamato debutto (recensione da 4 stelle e mezzo su “Down Beat" e inclusione tra i ...

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Radio & Podcasts

A Few More of My Favorite 2023 Jazz Things, Part 1

Read "A Few More of My Favorite 2023 Jazz Things, Part 1" reviewed by Ludovico Granvassu


This week we focus on the songs that have made us smile, tap our feet, reflect and keep our optimism in spite of the dire state of the world during the past two months. We hope they'll have the same effect on you. Happy listening! Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Alan Ferber Nonet “Brimstone Boogaloo" Up High, Down Low (Sunnyside) 0:16 Host talks 6:28 Laurent Cugny Tentet “Boogie ...

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Radio & Podcasts

New Releases, Grammy Nominees With New Jazz Categories & More

Read "New Releases, Grammy Nominees With New Jazz Categories & More" reviewed by Mary Foster Conklin


This broadcast includes an assortment of Grammy nominees (not a bad year for women overall, with some new jazz categories), plus new releases from Solidaridad Tango, violist Debbie Spring, drummer Allison Miller, vocalist Anita Wardell, pianists Marta Karassawa and Thandi Ntuli, with songs of gratitude and more. Thanks for listening and please support the artists you hear by seeing them live and online. Purchase their music so they can continue to distract, comfort, provoke and inspire.Playlist Lakecia Benjamin ...

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Album Review

Todd Sickafoose: Bear Proof

Read "Bear Proof" reviewed by Jerome Wilson


Bassist Todd Sickafoose released only one album as a leader prior to this one, Tiny Resistors, (Cryptogramophone, 2008). However, he has kept busy in the music world since then. He has extensively worked as a sideman and producer, including collaborating with singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco, and he has orchestrated the Broadway musical, “Hadestown," winning a Tony award in the process. Now he is back with an album that reaffirms him as one of those musicians who are ostensibly based in jazz ...

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Album Review

Artemis: In Real Time

Read "In Real Time" reviewed by Katchie Cartwright


For drummer Allison Miller, a key feature of In Real Time is that this second Blue Note release captures the unique ensemble sound of Artemis. She stresses a palpable sonic integrity that she attributes to trust and chemistry. Renee Rosnes emphasizes the singularity of each player in the equation, underscoring “a striking juxtaposition between the stylistic approaches of the two saxophonists," Nicole Glover and Alexa Tarantino; “each illuminates the other." She adds, “ Nobody sounds like Ingrid," which is certainly ...

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Album Review

Artemis: In Real Time

Read "In Real Time" reviewed by Mike Jurkovic


Artemis double down on their fiery yet regal 2020 self-titled, Blue Note debut with a punchy, calligraphic flare (thanks in part to their younger contemporaries, in demand multi-reedist Alexa Tarantino and hellfire saxophonist Nicole Glover), catch fire, and watch it spread. An early, sure-fire contender for the tops-of-twenty-three list barrage, In Real Time is really very hard to resist, even when it falls out of step. “Balance of Time," though intoxicating in texture, seems out of sequence just ...

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Performance / Tour

World-Renowned Smoke Jazz Club Announces March Concert Line-Up From One For All’s Album Release Celebration To Leading Female Artists Allison Miller And Mary Stallings

World-Renowned Smoke  Jazz Club Announces March Concert Line-Up From One For All’s Album Release Celebration To Leading Female Artists Allison Miller And Mary Stallings

Source: AMT Public Relations

Rated the #1 jazz club in New York City (Secret NYC), SMOKE Jazz Club welcomes both legendary and emerging jazz artists in March. The month begins with two of the great jazz artists of the past 50 years: pianist George Cables leads his Quartet (March 6-10) followed by tenor saxophonist George Coleman performing as special guest and influence of One of All’s new album Big George (March 14-17) on the club’s eponymous label SMOKE Sessions Records. Women’s History Month culminates ...

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Event

Asheville Percussion Festival To Take Place June 17-19, 2016

Asheville Percussion Festival To Take Place June 17-19, 2016

Source: Glass Onyon PR - William James

Please join Asheville Rhythm for our Fifth Annual Asheville Percussion Festival on June 17-19, 2016 at the Odyssey Community School, 90 Zillicoa St. among the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains in Asheville, NC. This year’s festival will feature teaching artists from around the globe, including NYC-based drummer and composer Allison Miller, who has performed with Natalie Merchant, Ani DeFranco and voted “Rising Star Drummer”and “Top 20 Jazz Drummers” in Downbeat Magazine’s acclaimed Critics Poll, Portuguese World Music Hand Pan artist Kabeção, ...

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Interview

Drummer Allison Miller Interviewed at AAJ

Drummer Allison Miller Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz

It takes a rare individual to excel in multiple artistic genres, particularly when success unfolds in the public spotlight and presents very different contexts. Certainly technical ability is important, but it also takes a peculiar blend of flexibility, curiosity, and determination. Perhaps that is what makes drummer, composer, bandleader, and outspoken feminist Allison Miller such a charismatic musician and personality.

Miller released her second disc as a leader earlier this year, and Boom Tic Boom (Foxhaven, 2010) is an unmistakable ...

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Recording

Allison Miller - Boom Tic Boom (2010)

Allison Miller - Boom Tic Boom (2010)

Source: Something Else!

By Pico Drumming ace Allison Miller might not be a household name, but, boy, she sure is linked to a whole host of them. The Washington, DC-born Miller has recorded and toured with Ani DeFranco, Natalie Merchant and Brandi Carlile. She's also drummed for major figures on the jazz side, too, like Dr. Lonnie Smith, Erik Friedlander, Kenny Barron, Harvie S and appeared on this fantastic record last year by Linda Presgrave. I'd imagine only Brian Blade and Manu Katch ...

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Recording

Fully Altered Media Drummer Allison Miller Releases 2nd Album, Boom Tic Boom March 23rd

Fully Altered Media Drummer Allison Miller Releases 2nd Album, Boom Tic Boom March 23rd

Source: Fully Altered Media

Drummer Allison Miller Releases Second Solo Leader CD, BOOM TIC BOOM, Performing Music Composed For and Inspired by Important Women in the Drummer/Composer's Life Release Date: March 23, 2010 Album Features: Myra Melford, Todd Sickafoose & Special Guest Jenny Scheinman “Some of my closest friends are extremely smart and powerful women," Allison Miller says. “I can't stress enough the importance of this community. There've been several women who've really helped me out in my career. I hope that I do ...

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Recording

Lindsey Horner – the Sidemen Chronicles: Allison Miller

Lindsey Horner – the Sidemen Chronicles: Allison Miller

Source: All About Jazz

Lindsey Horner's new ArtistShare project Undiscovered Country is derived from a large variety of influences and styles.

This exciting, genre bending project is made possible by a stellar team of sidemen. This week, we'll be focusing on the drums, played by Allison Miller. Allison has a most impressive resume, and her energy will undoubtedly bring a great vibe to the project.

In Lindsey's own words:

Allison Miller is one of the finest drummers around. We've played together with Susan McKeown ...

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Performance / Tour

Allison Miller's Agrazing Maze (Tonight) James Carney (Sat) Jessica Jones Qt (Sun) & More at the Cornelia Street Cafe

Allison Miller's Agrazing Maze (Tonight) James Carney (Sat) Jessica Jones Qt (Sun) & More at the Cornelia Street Cafe

Source: All About Jazz

October 28, 2005 To: Listings/Critics/Features From: JAZZ PROMO SERVICES Press Contact: JIM EIGO, [email protected] Cornelia Street Cafe 29 Cornelia Street Greenwich Village, NY 10014 Tel: 212-989-9319 Fax: 212-243-4207 Web: corneliastreetcafe.com between West 4th and Bleecker Sts, Greenwich Village 1,9 Subway to Sheridan Square; A, C, E, B, D, F to West 4th St. “a culinary as well as a cultural landmark" Mayoral Proclamation, City of New York 1987 This Weekend at Cornelia Street Cafe Oct. 28 thg Oct. 30 Fri ...

"The superb drumming of relative newcomer Allison Miller revealed that high-quality talent continues to flow into the jazz mainstream" - Don Heckman, LA Times
Primary Instrument

Drums

Location

San Francisco

Photos

Concerts

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

The Great Mirage

ASG Recordings
2023

buy

Acrobats

Whirlwind Recordings
2023

buy

In Real Time

Blue Note Records
2023

buy

Bear Proof

Secret Hatch Records
2023

buy

Rivers In Our Veins

Royal Potato Family
2023

buy

Nearness

Sunnyside Records
2022

buy

Hudson

From: Rivers In Our Veins
By Allison Miller

Pork Belly

From: No Morphine, No Lilies
By Allison Miller

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