Marcus L. Miller, born the same day as his hero of the drum Elvin Jones, hails from Chesapeake, Virginia and began his musical journey at the age of three playing drums in his mother’s church. During his elementary school years (3rd-5th grade), Marcus studied classical harp with the principle harpist for the Norfolk Symphony.
Between the years 1983-88 he recorded on three albums with several mass choirs of the United Holy Church of America INC. Throughout his high school and college years, he backed bands covering rock, reggae, funk, appalachian folk, and jazz styles.
After a four-year study of African, European, and Latin American histories at Washington and Lee University, he headed west to continue his journey and study in music. In 1993, he landed in Berkeley, CA and began working with numerous local bands in the San Francisco bay area.
He was recognized by CNN on a spotlight of up and coming jazz musicians. During 1995 and 1996, Marcus travelled throughout Europe, Japan, and North America touring and performing with Virgin recording artist Ben Harper. Frequent trips between Berkeley and L.A. prompted a move to Anaheim in 1996 where he began a stint with Disney.
As a Disney cast member, Marcus has worked in Disneyland’s Lion King celebration (1996-97) and appeared in Disney’s California Adventures Eureka parade (2000-03). He began his study of African traditional drumming with percussionists Leon Mobley and angel Figueroa. He was a founding member of Leon Mobley & Da Lion, and has since gone on to perform with such artists as Ashanti, Sheila E., Andre Cymone, Barbara McNair, the Watts Prophets, Bennie Maupin, Vinx, Jimmy Sommers,Tony Furtado, and Ozomatli. Marcus has collaborated with such choreographer/dancers as Lula Washington, Cleo Parker Robinson, Winifred Harris, Bonnie Homesy,Toni Pierce, Marguerite Donlon, and wife Tamica Washington-Miller.
Educating children is one of Marcus’ biggest passions. He is continually working with various organizations throughout California facilitating drum workshops for the youth. Marcus has appeared as a guest performance artist with the HeArt project, Lula Washington Dance Theatre, Jack & Jill of America, St. Elmo Village, Art Smart of San Francisco, Camp Baywatch, S.T.A.R., and the Los Angeles Arts Academy. He is a roster artist for Los Angeles Public library system nd often facilitates workshops for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and Skirball Museum.
In addition, he also teaches regularly at the New Roads School and holds private lessons. Working with such talented youth, inspired Marcus to start a performance group called the Young Drummers of Los Angeles (YDLA). The Y.D.L.A. features the some of the most talented youth in Los Angeles. It gives them a chance to learn en masse as well as providing oppurtunities to perform at various events throughout each year.
In 1998, Marcus created Freedom Jazz Movement to serve as his main vehicle of musical expression. Through it he composes music that mixes traditional African rhythms with a East Coast swing feel. The music is illustrated through dance and the poetry transforms words into song. Miller has released two CDs, Los Angeles View Suite (1998), and It’s Miller Time (2003) with this project. Miller writes music hat encompasses rhythmic styles from jazz, soul, gospel, folk, funk, R&B, reggae, rock, and traditional African rhythms.
Marcus has been instrumental in the recording efforts of many projects. Whether serving as side musician, co-producer, or executive producer, Miller lends his talents equally.
More recently he has recorded with Da Lion (1997), Wadada Khu Fu (1999), Angel City Chorale (1999), Jazz Poetry Collective (2000), Phil Ranelin (2001), and BoujouBumBastick (2002).
In the spirit of Art Blakey, Marcus is pursuing the link between traditional African drumming and the drums of the West. His goal is to spread the infectious and intoxicating rhythm of the drum and to enlighten and awaken the drummer inside all of us.