Mark Miller is a versatile trombonist, composer, and arranger who has a passion for big band and Latin jazz.
Cutting his musical teeth in Wisconsin and Minnesota, Mark began his recording career as a member of the collective jazz composers’ sextet, Motion Poets. They recorded three albums, which garnered critical acclaim.
Soon after, Mark relocated to NYC and made his way there playing creative jazz and performing with many Latin bands. These experiences fostered in him a deep love for Nuyorican salsa.
Mark also developed his career playing Broadway shows. In 2002 he hit the road for a few years of back-to-back tours with “Swing” and the Billy Joel - Twyla Tharp rock ballet, “Movin Out.” Highlight: jamming with Billy to sold-out theatres. Mark also was a featured soloist in the Broadway show “Come Fly Away,” playing the music of Frank Sinatra, for its six-month NYC run and portions of the US tour.
Even while touring, Mark made time to record. “The Return Of Slide Huxtable” was with his Minneapolis quartet. He was also a backing artist on Nicki Denner’s “El Medico De Coqui;” Darren Holden’s “Road Works;” and Trek’s “From the Ivory Tower.” Sometimes these recording sessions happened on the road in the makeshift studio of a hotel room.
Home from the road, Mark returned to playing creative music with several projects. He joined Paul Carlon’s Octet and recorded their Strayhorn tribute, “La Rumba Is A Lovesome Thing,” in 2013. He also joined the big band of Pedro Giraudo and recorded “Cuentos” in 2015. Pedro would later win the 2018 Latin Grammy for Best Tango Album. Mark played and arranged two songs on the 2016 Latin Grammy - nominated “Between Brothers” by Raul Agraz.
Mark has performed in 48 states and 18 countries on five continents. He tours with Diana Ross and with Blood, Sweat & Tears. Horn section work for major artists like Ross and BS&T--with such iconic horn lines--is a dream come true. Highlight: playing Glastonbury (UK) with Diana Ross for an audience of over 150,000 people.
Last year Mark appeared on the Jonas Brothers’ “The Album” with iconic rock saxophonist Richie Cannata. Other notable artists Mark has performed with include Josh Groban, Idina Menzel, Southside Johnny, Michael Feinstein, Jon Batiste, Cy Coleman, Frank Sinatra Jr, Tito Puente Jr, Lorna Luft, Lucille Arnaz, Gloria Gaynor, Baby Do Brasil, Afro-Latin Jazz Orch, Emilio Solla, Darcy Argue's Secret Society, Andres Levin, Yerba Buena and Groove Collective.
Mark’s artistic focus for the last dozen years has been playing lead trombone and writing for the Birdland Big Band. 2018’s “Birdland Big Band Live” album features three of Mark's charts.
The band’s new studio album, to be released this summer, is “Storybook: The Music of Mark Miller.” It is his biggest project to date and has taken years to come to fruition. On three songs, it features vocalist Nicole Zuraitis, the 2023 winner for Best Vocal Jazz Album.