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Pete Mills

A native of Toronto Canada, saxophonist and composer Pete Mills’ discography includes 4 solo titles, with his most recent, 2014’s Sweet Shadow. The CD is released on Vancouver based Cellar Live Records and features drummer Matt Wilson (who is also a part of Mills’ disc Art and Architecture), his long time collaborator, guitarist Pete McCann, bassist Martin Wind and pianist Erik Augis. Mills 2007 release, Fresh Spin on the Summit Records label features B3 organist Tony Monaco and Pete McCann. It received enthusiastic reviews in both DownBeat (3 ½ Stars) and JazzTimes magazines and was on the Jazz Week top 50-radio chart for 8 weeks. His 2004’s release on Summit, Art and Architecture (4 stars All Music Guide), features drummer Matt Wilson, bassist Dennis Irwin and Pete McCann. A top 50 Jazz Week radio release, it also received airplay on the MTV networks. His first solo release was the critically acclaimed, Momentum (COJAZZ Records). As a sideman he appears on over a dozen CDs including those by The Columbus Jazz Orchestra, saxophonist Chad Eby, the eclectic ensemble Madrugada, guitarist Stan Smith, The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and The Paul Ferguson Jazz Orchestra. As a soloist Mills works throughout the U.S and Canada. In Columbus Ohio he performs as a featured soloist with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra (Byron Stripling Musical Director). Educated at the Eastman School of Music and the University of North Texas, Mills has received Grants from the Canada Council and was a recipient of the North Carolina Arts Council Jazz Composer’s Fellowship. In addition to his performing, Mills teaches saxophone, improvisation and directs the jazz ensemble at Denison University in Granville, Ohio.

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Album Review

Pete Mills: Sweet Shadow

Read "Sweet Shadow" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi


Canadese di nascita ma statunitense d'adozione, Pete Mills pubblica il suo quarto disco confermando alcuni abituali partner, come il propulsivo batterista Matt Wilson o il chitarrista Pete McCann (entrambi in Art and Architecture del 2004). Siamo in pieno straight ahead jazz ma la fantasia e l'inventivo groove del leader trovano piena risposta nei partner portando a un risultato felice, variopinto e ricco di tensione. I riferimenti stilistici sono riconoscibili ma il ruolo di artisti come Mills, che attualizzano ...

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Album Review

Pete Mills: Sweet Shadow

Read "Sweet Shadow" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan


A lot of words have clicked out of the keyboards concerning the possible demise of the compact disc. Maybe CDs will suffer the extinction, maybe not. But one thing is sure: saxophonist Pete Mills' Sweet Shadow is an excellent argument for the survival of the species. On his fourth release as a leader, Mills has gathered a crack quintet to navigate labyrinths of ten of his modern-bop compositions, along with the Ellington/Strayhorn tune, “The Star-Crossed Lovers," Rolland Kirk's ...

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We Travel the Spaceways

Pete Mills: The Anatomy Of A Jazz Release

Read "Pete Mills: The Anatomy Of A Jazz Release" reviewed by Mark Corroto


I'm here to tell you that everything you thought about the making of a modern jazz records is wrong. The notion that there are talent agents selling concepts to record companies—wrong. That bands work on tunes, perfecting them for months before entering the studio—wrong. That jazz musicians make money from records—again, wrong. I had the first-hand experience of observing how saxophonist Pete Mills put together his latest recording Sweet Shadow (Cellar Live, 2014) from conception to release. If ...

101
Album Review

Pete Mills: Fresh Spin

Read "Fresh Spin" reviewed by Glenn Astarita


Tenor saxophonist Pete Mills doesn't chart new musical frontiers on this 2007 release. On the contrary, he just gets it done the good old fashion way via lots of gusto, oomph and up-tempo grooves, performed with his estimable band-mates. Mills regenerates the jazz organ combo vibe here, complete with soul/funk, swing and meaty underpinnings provided by the rock solid and fluidly moving rhythmic unit.

With Hammond B-3 ace Tony Monaco and guitarist Pete McCann onboard, the musical climate ...

205
Album Review

Pete Mills: Art and Architecture

Read "Art and Architecture" reviewed by Jerry D'Souza


If there is one defining aspect about Pete Mills, it is his ability to pave a path that is in direct communication with his listeners. Though he often shows a big, brawny disposition, he never overplays his hand. And while there is turmoil and a roiling heat as he takes the high post-bop road, he also showcases a softer side with ballads that shimmer and glow in the emotional nest he builds for them.

Mills plays surprise to ...

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Album Review

Pete Mills: Art and Architecture

Read "Art and Architecture" reviewed by Jim Santella


Straight-ahead jazz combines pleasant memories with fresh energy when it's created by a unit such as Pete Mills' quintet. His lovely tenor saxophone tone soothes while it cascades around the room. The session remains peaceful and quiet throughout. Mills stretches out on up-tempo romps and lays back casually for lyrical ballads.

With the pared-down backing of just bass and drums, he delivers “In Walked Bud" with a bounce. Careful to keep the tempo in the moderate range, he ...

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Album Review

Pete Mills: Art and Architecture

Read "Art and Architecture" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan


It's nice to hear a mainstream set hit the ground running like this. Saxophonist Pete Mills opens his Art and Architecture with the frictionless propulsion of “Dot Com," a tune that zips forward on the rhythm section momentum of a sleek monorail riding a cushion of magnetism, on a workout that lets you know that straight ahead jazz is alive and well, juiced up even, in the hands of a younger generation.This is only Mills' second CD as ...

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Festival

The 2008-09 JazzErie Season Brings Eric Alexander, Dave Liebman, Pete Mills, Robin McKelle to Town

The 2008-09 JazzErie Season Brings Eric Alexander, Dave Liebman, Pete Mills, Robin McKelle to Town

Source: All About Jazz

If you're among those in the Erie area who feel they've heard some good music this summer, well, wait until you hear what's yet to come. JazzErie has put together a highly promising 2008-09 concert season (its fifth annual) featuring some of the best jazz musicians in the world, as well as outstanding local and regional players. Most of the musicians who will be part of the upcoming season -- leaders and their band members -- place among the top ...

Pete Mills: Music on a 'high level' performer recieving critical acclaim for his compositions." —Matt Warner, Dayton Daily News

"It's nice to hear a mainstream set hit the ground running like this. Saxophonist Pete Mills opens his Art and Architecture with the frictionless propulsion of “Dot Com,” a tune that zips forward on the rhythm section momentum of a sleek monorail riding a cushion of magnetism, on a workout that lets you know that straight ahead jazz is alive and well, juiced up even, in the hands of a younger generation." — Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz

"Columbus saxophonist Pete Mills has released his second CD on the Summit Label and it’s a real winner. His cohorts on the record include guitarist Pete McCann, bassist Dennis Irwin and drummer Matt Wilson �" all in-demand New York players, along with Columbus piano legend Bobby Floyd." — Don Henke, Dayton City Paper

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Sweet Shadow

Cellar Live
2014

buy

Fresh Spin

Summit/Chicken Coup
2007

buy

Art and Architecture

Unknown label
2004

buy

Eddie

From: Fresh Spin
By Pete Mills

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