Born: April 1, 1965 Primary Instrument: Piano
Duncan's music has been called “a rarity: Smooth-Jazz with soul”. Duncan's no stranger to Soul music having played as a session-musician with UK soul-star Geno Washington and artists on Paul Weller's Respond label, but, as a Berklee grad raised on Oscar Peterson and Herbie Hancock, his musical soul was always really in Jazz.
Arriving back in London, his next musical foray was in a pop duo (Blue Mercedes), an unexpected move maybe, but it produced a five-week #1 U.S. Dance Hit. Later, as a producer, he had further club-hits, including, under the name Exoterix, the first-ever release on hip EMI dance label Positiva, and worked with many different acts including an embryonic Down To The Bone.
When Acid-Jazz arrived, Duncan began once again to explore his jazz side, as a player and a producer, under the name A-One. Appearances of album-tracks on many U.S. compilations led to two Smooth-Jazz albums under his own name (Dream Your Dream and Good To Go) on Instinct Records NYC, which featured a less electronic, full-band sound. A MOBO nomination as Best UK Jazz Act followed, plus U.S, Smooth-Jazz chart placements; also, still-continuing radio-play there and internationally on stations such as Jazz FM, and performances at venues such as London's Jazz Café.
Now, after an over-long sabbatical, Duncan has re-emerged with a new album, “Fresh Air”, due for release in Feb 2013. Fresh, because the piano-focused tracks reflect new-found musical influences. Also, because in a changed musical-world, Duncan has forged fresh ways of working, such as self-producing his album and releasing it on new boutique label Warmday Records.
Duncan returns with ten enticing new tracks. Filled out by a full band comprising some of London’s leading jazz and funk musicians, including sax and trumpet, the keyboard-led melodies take you on a journey through a range of sensuous moods and grooves, ranging from funk to slow-samba to jazz-waltz.
Awards:
MOBO awards nominee as Best UK Jazz ActOnce the flute and that electric piano start trading moves, I'm hooked, - oh,
this is lovely! —Smooth and Soul
Millar's created a rarity: a smooth jazz album with soul. - —- Corpus Christi Caller Times
Compilation: Various Artists: (2003), Dream Your Dream
Passion Jazz Records. London
Album: Duncan Millar:, Comin’ Thru; (2002)
Instinct Records, New York
Album: Duncan Millar: Good to Go; (2001)
Duncan Millar: Dream Your Dream; (1998)
Singles: Duncan Millar: Brite Life; (2001)
Duncan Millar: Little Ray of Sunshine; (1998)
Duncan Millar: Smokee Vibes; (1998)
Compilations:
Various Artists: This Is Smooth Jazz; Vol. 3 (2001)
Various Artists: This is Smooth Jazz, Love Bossa Style; (1999)
Various Artists: Bossa brava Caliente; (1999)
Various Artists: More More More: Smooth Jazz Disco; (1999)
Various Artists: The Best of Smooth Jazz Blues;. (1999)
Various Artists: Smooth Jazz For a Rainy Day; (1999)
Various Artists: Smooth Jazz Radio Hits;. (1999)
Various Artists: Martini Grooves; (1998)
Various Artists: New Voices 4 (1998)
Various Artists: Sweet Emotions; (1997)
Various Artists: Best of Acid Jazz, Vol. 2 ;(1997)
Various Artists: This Is Acid Jazz, Vol. 5; (1996)
Trippin’ In Rhythm Records, Chicago
Album: A One: Free Association (1999)
Single: A One: West By South-West Revisited (1999)
Moonshine Records, Los Angeles
Compilations:
Various Artists: Acid Jazz Test, Vol. 4 (1996)
Various Artists: Acid Jazz Test, Vol 3 (1995)
Various Artists: Acid Jazz Test, Vol. 2 (1994)
Various Artists: Acid Jazz Test, Vol. 1 (1994)
Indochina Records, London
Album: A One: Free Association; (1994)
Singles: A One: Wait Wait Wait; (1994)
A One: Take Me to the Casbah; (1994)
React Records, London
Single: Mash: U Don’t have To Say You Love Me; (1994)
WOW Records, London
Single: A One: West By South West; (1994)
Union Records (Virgin), London
Single: Exoterix: Come Satisfy My Love (1994)
Compilation Now That’s What I Call Dance ’94; (1994)
Positiva Records (EMI), London
Single: Exoterix: Void; (1993)
CT Records, London
Singles: Monica de Luxe: The Temperature’s Rising; (1992,
Monica de Luxe: Move To The Music; (1992),
Monica de Luxe: Take Control; (1992),
MCA Records, London
Album: Blue Mercedes: Rich and Famous (1988);
Singles: Blue Mercedes: That Beauty Is You (1987);
Blue Mercedes: Treehouse (1988);
Blue Mercedes: Love Is The Gun (1988);
Blue Mercedes: See Want Must Have (1988);
Blue Mercedes: I Want To Be Your Property (1987);
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Primary Instrument:
Piano
Location:
London, England
Willing to teach:
Beginners
