For Grammy winning and nominated producer/keyboardist/composer, Jason Miles, the Pandemic has been a lesson in what to do if you are going to have nothing going on for a long time. With a new album just released, Jason Miles Kind of New- Black Magic on Ropeadope and upcoming tours and global promotion for his album that had already received stellar reviews, the question was: with everything now canceled for the near future what does one do to stay productive? Jason was ready to make the most of his time.
The first order of business was to double down and finish his book The Extraordinary Journey of Jason Miles-A Musical Biography which is a series of short stories covering Jasons amazing 47-year career in the music world working with the list iconic artists like Miles Davis, Luther Vandross, Chaka Khan, Sting, Roberta Flack, Michael Brecker, Marcus Miller, Michael Jackson, George Benson AMO to nurturing new artists Rebecca Angel, Beverley Beirne and others. He has finished the book and it is in the editing stage with a release date targeted for Feb 2022.
With his album ‘Jason Miles Kind of New- Black Magic’ out but limited with the kind of promotion that could be done Jason has recorded new bonus tracks for the album that will be released September 10, 2021. One of the new tracks “1974” features the core band with Gene Lake-Drums, Reggie Washington-Bass, and Jay Rodriguez-Sax and Flute. Jason wanted to pump up the volume, so he asked and got trumpet legend Randy Brecker to be a special guest and he gives a blazing performance. Another track. “It’s About That Time” from Miles Davis’s classic “In A Silent Way”, was recorded at NuBlu NYC when the band performed and some of those tracks are on the album ‘Black Magic.’ This is a no holds barred slamming performance. As of this writing, he is finishing a third track to be added. Jason will be ready to hit the road running with new music to perform this groundbreaking project
Thom Jurek – All Music Guide
“Black Magic is a total showcase for Miles and Kind of New. The live tracks are all burners, while the studio cuts offer imagination, savvy production, and inspired playing. This all-killer, no-filler date proves American fusion remains alive, well, and thriving.”
Dan Ouellette – Writer DownBeat Magazine and noted author
“Black Magic is a tour de force teeming with funk, groove and improv glory…Jason leads with hip-charged smooth and combustible liquidity that makes it one of first-quarter 2020’s most special treats.”
To go along with Jason’s book, he has been developing a one man show that is the same title as his book ‘The Extraordinary Journey of Jason Miles-A Musical Biography.’ with music and one of kind stories of what it was like to work and know the iconic artists he has known and worked with over the years. Jason spends ninety very entertaining minutes bringing you into the world that very few have experienced. He also has a solo piano album that will accompany the book and the show that also has his first ever recording with a trio. There are visuals and the cost of doing this is very minimal to the promoter and presenter.
Jason has performed some of his incredible projects at numerous great stages all over the world. One show that has been successfully presented to enthusiastic audiences at venues such as The Hollywood Bowl, Cape Town Jazz Festival, Berks Jazz Festival, Tokyo Blue Note, Jacksonville Jazz AMO has been ‘To Grover with Love’ He has made three extraordinarily successful tribute albums dedicated to Grover and now has a new double gold vinyl release of a spectacular Grover Washington Jr. concert from 1999- ‘Grover Live.’ This has been a remarkable success with audiences of 17,000 to 500. Grovers music is presented with the TLC this iconic horn player deserves. Musicians Gerald Albright, Randy Brecker, Chante Moore, Maya Azucena, Andy Snitzer, and others have performed with him. He will be bringing this project to the ‘2021 Clearwater Jazz Holiday’ in Florida on October 15 with a stellar line up.
Another great tribute show is Jason’s ‘Celebrating the Music of Weather Report.’ When he recorded this tribute in 1999 it was released by Telarc Records and immediately got great reviews and went to #1 on the Japanese Swing Journal Jazz Chart. He has had some of the top musicians and innovative musicians to join him. Carter Beauford and Jeff Coffin from the Dave Matthews Band to Bob Mintzer, Randy Brecker, Karen Briggs, Mino Cinelu, Theo Croker, Shaun Martin AMO. This has been performed at ‘The Clearwater Jazz Holiday 2018’, Berks Jazz Festival 2017 and ‘Jazz at the Lake 2018.’ More coming…
Jason also spent the better part of a year producing the new album by up-and-coming vocalist Rebecca Angel. Coming off Rebecca’s #1 song the remake of ‘For What It’s Worth’ Jason crafted an album for her using great songs performed by some of the best musicians in the world. He took advantage of all his musical friends who were now also homebound and had them bring their extraordinary talents to Rebecca’s debut album ‘Love Life Choices.’ His production prowess turned it into a stunning debut for a new artist. He will bet performing with Rebecca and an all-star band at Drom, NYC on August 10. Jason also produced ‘Dream Dancer’ by British jazz singer Beverley Beirne. This album also recently came out to enthusiastic reviews and building radio air play.