Eddie Miller (jazz saxophonist)

Eddie Miller
Eddie Miller
Birth name	Edward Raymond Müller
Born	June 23, 1911; New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Died	April 1, 1991 (aged 79); Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres	Jazz
Instruments	Tenor saxophone, clarinet

Edward Raymond Müller (June 23, 1911^[1] – April 1, 1991)^[2] known professionally as Eddie Miller, was an American jazz musician who played tenor saxophone and clarinet.

Early life

Miller was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. In his early teens, Miller got a job selling newspapers, so he would be eligible for a newsboys' band.^[3]

Career

Miller professional career began in New Orleans at 16, with his recording debut occurring in 1930 with Julie Wintz. He worked in Ben Pollack's orchestra and then stayed when Bob Crosby took over its leadership. He stayed with Crosby until the band broke up in 1942. He had his own band for a brief time after that, before being drafted. However, he was discharged from the military early because of illness and settled in Los Angeles.^[4] After that he worked with Pete Fountain, appeared in most of Crosby's reunions, and did club work. He also played with trumpeter Al Hirt.

Miller was also a songwriter, with his best-known song being "Slow Mood," later known as "Lazy Mood" after Johnny Mercer noticed the tune and composed lyrics. Miller was inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1998.

He won numerous Playboy and Esquire Jazz polls. Miller finished his career with Pete Fountain, living in New Orleans. While with the Pete Fountain organization, he was featured as the lead saxophonist at the 1971 and 1972 Greenwood Arts Festivals (Greenwood, Mississippi). Digitized recordings are available through the Delta Jazz Collection.

Personal life

Miller died at age 79 in Van Nuys, of pneumonia.^[3]

Discography

As leader

Frat Hop (Tops, 1957)
Armand Hug and His New Orleans Dixielanders/Eddie Miller and His New Orleans Rhythm Pals (Southland, 1958)
Tenor of Jazz (Fontana, 1967)
With a Little Help from My Friend with Pete Fountain (Coral, 1968)
A Portrait of Eddie (Blue Angel, 1970)
Just Friends with Armand Hug (Land O' Jazz, 1976)
Wild Bill Davison and Eddie Miller Play Hoagy Carmichael (Realtime, 1981)
Street of Dreams with Johnny Varro (Magna Graphic Jazz, 1982)
The Eddie Miller Quartet Plays Mostly Ellington (Audiophile, 2003)

As sideman

Heinie Beau, Blues for Two (Henri, 1983)
Jack Lesberg, Hollywood Swing (Famous Door, 1978)
Ray Linn, Empty Suit Blues (Discovery, 1981)
Si Zentner, In Person (International Award, 1962)
Beverly Mahr, Gordon Jenkins Presents My Wife The Blues Singer (Impulse, 1963)

References

^ Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Who's Who of Jazz (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 283. ISBN 0-85112-580-8.
^ "Eddie Miller; Jazz Woodwind Veteran". The Los Angeles Times. 8 April 1991. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
^ ^a ^b "Eddie Miller; Jazz Woodwind Veteran - latimes". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2016-10-28. Retrieved 2016-10-27.
^ "Eddie Miller | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved July 30, 2021.

External links

Eddie Miller Interview NAMM Oral History Library (1984)
Eddie Miller recordings at the Discography of American Historical Recordings.

[LarkinJazz-1] Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Who's Who of Jazz (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 283. ISBN 0-85112-580-8.

[2] "Eddie Miller; Jazz Woodwind Veteran". The Los Angeles Times. 8 April 1991. Retrieved 12 November 2022.

[obit-3] "Eddie Miller; Jazz Woodwind Veteran - latimes". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2016-10-28. Retrieved 2016-10-27.

[AMG-4] "Eddie Miller | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved July 30, 2021.

[1]