Edward Raymond "Eddie" Miller ( June 23, New Orleans, Philadelphia, 1911 - april 1, 1991) was an American tenor saxophonist, clarinetist and singer in thedixieland and swing. He composed the jazz standard "Slow Mood" ( Johnny Mercer in the operation known as "Lazy Mood").
Biography[Edit][]
Miller began his professional career in New Orleans when he was about sixteen years. He made his first recordings in 1930, with Julie Wintz. From 1930 to 1934 he worked in Ben Pollack 's Orchestra and when this band was ' taken over ' by Bob Crosby , he became one of the stars. He also played in the skid steer loaders from Crosby. After the band of Crosby was scrapped some time Miller led a private Orchestra, including the singer Ray Eberle. He served briefly in the army and after his discharge because of a moderate health he settled in Los Angeles, where he became active as a studio musician. He played on many jazz recordings and film soundtracks. He made in 1940 part of the Metronome all-stars. He also had his own groups. From the 1950s onwards (until the 1980s) he was always found for reunion concerts by Crosby. He also worked in the period 1967-1976 together with Pete Fountain.
Miller can be heard on recordings of, among others, Louis Armstrong, Muggsy Spanier, Wingy Manone, Bunny Berigan, Jack Teagarden, Billy May, Ralph Sutton, Al Hirt, Pee Wee Erwin and Ray Conniff.
In 1998, Miller included in the Big Band Jazz Hall of Fame.
Discography (selection)[Edit][]
- Eddie Miller-George Van Eps, Jump Records, 1953
- Tenor or Jazz, Fontana, 1967
- Portrait of Eddie, Blue Angel Music, 1971
- It's Miller Time, Famous By, 1979
- Wild Bill Davison and Eddie Miller Play Hoagy Carmichael, 1981
- Street of Dreams, Delmark, 1982
- Plays Mostly Ellington (2 lp's on 1 cd), Audiophile Records, 2003
- Soft Jive (Miller's big band recordings, incl. radio recordings), Golden Era