Welcome
Thanks for visiting my website. It was designed by Charley Clinkenbeard. It has my biography, discography, mp3's, an extensive photo gallery, clinic/lesson information and a series of articles that I've written on Freddie Hubbard, Booker Little, Freddie Webster, 50 Essential Jazz Trumpet Recordings, 50 Essential Big Band Recordings and a Complete Jazz Trumpet History. I will be updating the site frequently with new articles and transcriptions. Thanks.
Dan Miller - Lew Del Gatto Quintet June 10, 2010
Benefit Concert: Jazzin' it Up with Footsteps to the Future
Dan Miller (trumpet)
Lew Del Gatto (tenor saxophone)
Joe Delaney (piano)
Doug Kirschner (bass)
Ron Hefner (drums)
Suzie Hulcher (vocals)
We had an incredible concert at the beautiful Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center on June 10th to benefit Footsteps to the Future. We drew a standing room only crowd of 350-plus and had a wonderful night of music.
Cypress Lake Center for the Arts Jazz Night April 29, 2010
CLCA plays the music of Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Thad Jones, Horace Silver and Herbie Hancock
Lee County (Florida) All-County Jazz Band March 25, 2010
I had a beautiful time leading this year's All County High School Jazz Band for Lee County (Florida). The students worked extremely hard over two long days of rehearsals focusing on the original arrangements of Duke Ellington, Count Basie and the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra.
They played an ambitious program which included Duke Ellington's Cottontail, Herbie Hancock's Chameleon, Sammy Nestico's Front Burner, Thad Jones' To You and Big Dipper. It was a tremendous concert and I'd like to acknowledge the acheivement of six of my private students who played wonderfully.
Dylan Taylor (alto saxophone)
Matt DeVries (tenor saxophone)
Steffanee Davis (lead trombone)
Christian Allmendinger (jazz trumpet)
Grant Hudson (guitar)
Melody Cooke (piano)
New Orleans Jazz Pianist & Vocalist Davell Crawford February 4 - 6, 2010
Ellington's welcomes New Orleans Jazz Artist Davell Crawford. Davell is a world class pianist & vocalist in the great New Orleans piano tradition of Professor Longhair, James Booker, Dr.John and Harry Connick Jr.
Davell Crawford (piano & vocals)
Dan Miller (trumpet)
Jay Heavilin (bass)
Ron Hefner (drums)
Featuring The Heath Brothers, Madeleine Peyroux, Stanley Jordan, Eric Lewis, Gloria Lynne, Mark Murphy, Buster Williams, Henry Butler, Sweet Georgia Brown, Harlem Blues & Jazz All Stars, the Hot 8 Brass Band from New Orleans and many more legends...bands change every hour.
A traditional old-time "Rent Party" benefit for Jazz Foundation's Musicians' Emergency Fund.
For more information call 212.245.3999
This is NOT a public event. It is "invitation only." Space is limited. Reserve your tickets as soon as possible for $250.
Ellington's Jazz Club Grand Re-Opening August 2009
Ellington's Jazz Club & Restaurant has re-opened at it's beautiful, new location on Sanibel Island. The new home of Elllington's is at 1244 Periwinkle Way, in the gorgeous building that was formerly La Dolce Vita. Ellington's is the only place in SW Florida that features live, acoustic jazz music seven nights a week.
The Danny Sinoff Quartet featuring Dan Miller
Fridays - Saturdays
7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Danny Sinoff (piano & vocals)
Dan Miller (trumpet)
Jay Heavilin (bass)
Ron Hefner (drums)
Ellington's Jazz Club & Restaurant
1244 Periwinkle Way
Sanibel Island, FL 33957
239.472.0494
239.337.JAZZ
Full weekly schedule found at Ellington's website:
Ellington's Final Night at the Sanibel Inn June 27, 2009
Ellington's Jazz Bar and Restaurant has been a mainstay on the Florda jazz scene since 2003. The club is moving to a new location on Sanibel Island and I wanted to do something special for the final night at the Sanibel Inn. I wrote a five-horn book featuring the music of Thelonious Monk, Dizzy Gillespie, Lee Morgan, John Coltrane, Horace Silver and some of my originals as well. To expand the regular quartet to an octet, I asked some of Florida's finest young jazz musicians to join us and it was truly a swinging affair. It was a wonderful evening of music with old friends and the club was really electrified by the beautiful playing of these fine young men. The band really burned on a program which included Let's Cool One, Move, Wee See, Tin Tin Deo, Ceora, Moment's Notice, Walkin' and Juicy Lucy.
Danny Sinoff (piano & vocals)
Dan Miller (trumpet)
Dylan Taylor (alto)
Gerald Augustin (tenor)
Sam Taylor (tenor)
Jeremiah St.John (trombone)
Jay Heavilin (bass)
Ron Hefner (drums)
There have been some tremendous nights in the club over the last few years. Ellington's has featured the artistry some of jazz music's greatest stars including David 'Fathead' Newman, Jimmy McGriff, Bobby Watson, Freddie Cole, Jon Weber, Davell Crawford, the Brubeck Brothers (Chris, Darius and Dan), Doug Bickel, Curtis Lundy, Jimmy Norman, Mike DiMicco, Randy Napolean, Johnnie Mae Dunson, Cynthia Saunders and Mindi Abair.
Wendy Oxenhorn, the President of the Jazz Foundation of America, has been responsible for many an incredible night at the club. Over the past few years, she organized bi-annual JFA fundraising events at Ellington's which featured world class jazz and blues artists.
I'd also like to recognize some of the fine players who made up the roster of regular musicians I've had the pleasure of playing with in the club over the past few years:
Piano: Danny Sinoff, Don Coates, Stu Shelton, Skip Perry, Fred Wackenhut, Gary Goetz, Dan Tudor
Bass: Jay Heavilin, Doug Kirschner, Kenny Fitzgerald (RIP), Kevin Mauldin, Vince Evans, Alex Albanese, Aurora Wells
Drums: Ron Hefner, Tim Ruger, Darrell Nutt, Trimble McCollough
Guitar: Bryan Leitch
I'd also like to thank the owners of Ellington's, Jill Algrin and Sharon Wise, who have worked incredibly hard to bring acoustic jazz music to SW Florida. They have built a unique entity, not only for the Sanibel/Ft.Myers/Naples area, but for all of Florida--a nightclub which features live acoustic jazz music nightly and fine dining.
As previously mentioned, Ellington's is moving to an exciting, new location which will be announced shortly.
Naples Jazz Festival April 17 - 18, 2009 High School & College Jazz Festival with Clinics and Adjudications
Steve DeLadurantey, the Director of Bands at Golden Gate High School in Naples, organized the Second Annual Naples Jazz Festival. It featured two days of clinics and concerts by college and high school jazz bands from all over the state of Florida. The adjudicators/clinicians included some old friends including trombonist Dante Luciani, with whom I was on Maynard Ferguson's Band. We went all over the world with Maynard that year including Europe, Japan and India. Dante is currently the professor of jazz trombone at the University of Miami where he also conducts the UM Concert Jazz Band. He is burning as ever and often works with Ira Sullivan. The incredibly swinging drummer Leon Anderson, is the director of jazz studies at Florida State University in Talahassee, which features a world-class faculty including Marcus Roberts, Paul McKee and Scotty Barnhart. He's toured internationally and recorded with Wynton Marsalis, Ellis Marsalis, Marcus Roberts and Victor Goines. Pianist Jeff Phillips is a staple of the Orlando scene and played beautifully. We worked with high school and college bands all day and heard some excellent bands from all over the state. The University of Miami brought it's top jazz ensemble (the CJB) and they burned the house down, especially on Woody Herman's Hallelujah Time. We closed the festival with a concert by the clinicians which was a swinging affair. We were joined by the tremendous bassist from Philadelphia, Doug Kirschner. This festival was a great success made so by the great efforts of the directors, band parents and students and they look to continue building the event in the future.
Dan Miller (trumpet)
Dante Luciani (trombone)
Leon Anderson (drums)
Jeff Phillips (piano)
Doug Kirschner (bass)
Lee County (Florida) All-County Jazz Band April 2, 2009
Chris Vadala, Director of Jazz Studies/Professor of Saxophone at the University of Maryland and former featured soloist with Chuck Mangione, led this year's All County Jazz Band for Lee County (Florida). They played an ambitious program which included Oliver Nelson's Stolen Moments and Thelonious Monk's Well You Needn't. It was a tremendous concert and I'd like to acknowledge the acheivement of eight of my students who played wonderfully.
Dylan Taylor (alto saxophone)
Matt DeVries (tenor saxophone)
Zach Charlebois (baritone saxophone)
Steffanee Davis (lead trombone)
Jeremiah St.John (jazz trombone)
Christian Allmendinger (lead trumpet)
Grant Hudson (bass)
Preeti Sareen (piano)
David 'Fathead' Newman 1933 - 2009 February 24, 1933 - January 20, 2009
I spoke at length with David and Karen Newman on Christmas Day 2008. He talked of just finishing a new record and that he was getting ready to go to Chicago to play Joe Segal's Jazz Showcase for New Years Eve. I was hoping to see him and Karen again soon, so it was with great suprise and sadness that I heard of David's passing on January 21st. I was very fortunate to have met David Newman through an association with Wendy Oxenhorn and the Jazz Foundation of America. After a meeting him at a Jazz Foundation event, Jill Algrin and Sharon Wise (the owners of Ellington's Jazz Bar and Restaurant) invited David to work the club in March 2006 and he started to come down every March and November.
David was a great artist who possessed an incredible spirit and a gentle soul. He descended from a long line of great Texas tenormen going back to Herschel Evans with Count Basie, Illinois Jacquet and Arnett Cobb with Lionel Hampton and his contemporaries like James Clay, Don Wilkerson and Booker Ervin. I loved listening to David tell stories about growing up and practicing Bird solos with Ornette Coleman in Fort Worth. He answered endless questions I had about the people he played with including James Clay, Tina Brooks, Phil Guilbeau, Marcus Belgrave, Wynton Kelly and Lee Morgan. He and his wife Karen were such a joy to be around. Every time they walked into the club, everyone's spririt was lifted. And when he put those horns together--pure electricity!
David's playing was so swinging. He also had a rare combination of beauty and intensity that made his improvisations incredibly elegant. Two of my favorite recordings of his are The Sound of the Wide Open Spaces with James Clay and Wynton Kelly on Riverside (1960) and Lee Morgan's Sonic Boom on Blue Note (1967). I was living in the Dallas area (Denton, TX) while attending North Texas State in the late 1980's and James Clay would be playing weekly at The Green Parrot in Oak Cliff. I came to love Clay's playing and this record with he and Fathead is just killing! The hookup between David and Lee Morgan on Sonic Boom is so groovy. They fit together hand in glove.
My thoughts go out to David's lovely wife Karen, an incredible woman of great strength and kindness.
David Newman was a wonderful man and musician whom I greatly miss.
Florida Music Educators Association Conference January 8 - 9, 2009
I went to Tampa this January for the annual Florida Music Educators Association Conference (F.M.E.A.) which included rehearsals and a performance by the Florida All State Jazz Band. This year's band was directed by J.B. Scott, Associate Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of North Florida (Jacksonville). I've known J.B. since 1991 and I was looking forward to hanging out with him again and hearing what he would do with this band. He does an excellent job with the top jazz ensemble at U.N.F. and I knew he'd have these young musicians hooked up in no time.
I'd like to acknowledge the acheivements of my students, Dylan Taylor (alto saxophone) and Matt DeVries (tenor saxophone) who earned spots in the band's saxophone section this year through extremely hard work and diligent practice. These young men are swinging! Another one of my students, Alex Ravitz, was a member of the Florida All-State Symphony Orchestra on bass clarinet.
I spent the day at the Yamaha booth in the exhibition hall talking trumpet and jazz with many old freinds and met many new ones. The Yamaha contingent was headed by Philadelphia's own Ed Boyer and the company's southeastern rep extrordinaire, Dino Ricco. Thanks for everything guys! I spent the evening listening to the band rehearse and it was cooking. Gilbert Paz, the lead trumpet player from Miami, was outstanding. J.B. selected a challenging program including Greg Hopkins' chart for Buddy's band on Horace Silver's Nutville, which the band tore up. Dylan and Matt played beautiful solos all night and I was proud of their performances.
New York City September – October 2008
I spent September and October in New York City where I had a tremendous time hanging and playing with old friends and seeing family. I decided to drive up so I could remain mobile for my time in the city running between NYC, New Jersey, New Haven and Philly.
I was working with Ned Goold on Wednesday nights at Fatcat in the Village (75 Christopher Street @ 7th Avenue). Ned's group is beautiful and includes Sasha Perry (piano), Jamale Davis (bass) and Charles Goold (drums). I stayed with Ned quite a bit so we could rehearse his music, which is wild and extremely challenging. We played a hit at Small's (183 West 10th Street) on October 1st with this same group where Ned debuted his nasty wah-wah pedal. I love playing Ned's music and this group is so swinging! Ned is bad.
I was also re-united with my old running parnter from Texas, tenor saxophionist Tim McCall. Tim was at North Texas when I went there and we had a quintet together with pianist Steve Snyder. Tim was leading the Friday late night session at Small’s and he asked me to join him on the gig while in town. This was made extra special due to the fact that my old friend Spike Wilner was playing gorgeous piano (as always). I also had the pleasure of hearing Spike's group with Ryan Kisor and Joel Frahm play the music of Hampton Hawes, which was a gas.
Bobby Shew came to NYC on September 27th for the Yamaha Day of Jazz III which featured clinics by Bobby and trombonist Steve Turre at Yamaha Artist Services (689 5th Avenue). Keith Loftis (tenor saxophone) had his quartet there featuring the great Anthony Wonsey on piano and after the clinics, Bobby and Steve joined Keith's group for a beautiful concert. Afterwards we had a great dinner and hang with Bob Malone, Wayne Tanabe and Dave Lotozo of Yamaha. We then headed down to the Jazz Standard to hear the Tribute to Woody Shaw with Mulgrew Miller, Victor Lewis, Nick Roseboro, Enzana Edwards and Sean Jones. The event was part of Dave Douglas's Festival of New Trumpet Music and was organized by Woody's son, Woody III. We got to hang with the great George Cables most of he night as well. George was part of Bobby's quartet in California many years ago and they had a beautiful reunion. George led my small group for two years when I attended Bud Shank's Jazz Workshop in 1987 & 1988 (Bobby was teaching there as well) and it was so nice seeing him again. George is a phenomenal artist of great spirit and a true inspiration. I've known Bobby Shew for 25 years and not only is he one of the world's finest jazz trumpet players, he is my teacher, my mentor and my dear friend. What a tremendous evening!
On October 2, Ned and I went up to New Haven to play at the Owl Room with Ben Wolfe. It's a beautiful cigar bar in the heart of New Haven on the Yale campus. Ned's son Charles played drums and he's incredibly groovy. Ben is the most swinging person on the planet. This trip is always a blast because the music is always hooked up and Ben and Ginger always take us on a New Haven pizza tour.
Most Wednesday nights were spent up at Showman's Lounge on 125th Street with Jerry Weldon's organ trio featuring Kyle Kohler and Greg Bandy. This is always an extremely fun night as the music is burning (Jerry is absolutely crushing) and it seems like Lou Donaldson and Grady Tate are always making the hang.
New Content September 2008
I have recently updated the Gallery with new photos from some recent events including E.W.U. Trumpet Madness. In the Articles section, I've added a list of Jazz Quotations, a brief overview on Embouchure Building and posted three solo transcriptions to the the article on Freddie Webster. I've also updated the discography and revised the article I wrote a few years ago on Freddie Hubbard's Blue Note Years. It was written for the now-defunct Jazz Trumpet Journal. The J.T.J. was a tremendous Los Angeles-based magazine in the 1990's and it's existence was a true labor of love by it's publisher/editor Albert Balderas. I've also developed a Student Resources page featuring articles, essays, interviews, recordings, tune study compilations and listings of historical, critical, biographaphical and instructional books.
Eastern Washington University Trumpet Madness May 7-10, 2008
I spent four days in Cheney, Washington participating in Eastern Washington University's annual Trumpet Madness event. The week featured clinics and concerts with myself, Vern Seilert and Byron Stripling. Andy Plamondon, EWU's trumpet professor, hosted an incredibly exciting and musical week. Vern Seilert, currently the professor of trumpet at the University of Idaho, and I attended North Texas State together and we were section mates in the Two O'Clock Lab Band under Jim Riggs. Vern's sound is gorgeous as ever and it was so much fun playing with him again. We both studied with the great Don Jacoby and traded some "Jake" stories while hanging out and catching up after the concert. Byron Stripling was a true inspiration. I first met Byron when he played lead for the Count Basie Orchestra. He always had time for young players with questions and he kindly and patiently answered every one until the bus was ready to depart. His fat sound and swinging musicality have been the hallmark of his playing for over 20 years. His motivational seminar was unlike any I've ever heard. His thoughts encompassed his outlook on life and the role of music in it. He focused on the level of dedication one must show in order to truly acheive our pursuits. His concert with the Spokane Jazz Orchestra was burning. He is in every sense of the word, an artist.
My time was filled with private lessons, clinics (trumpet, wedge and improvisation), rehearsals, trumpet sectionals and concerts with the big bands and small groups. I enjoyed playing a very swinging quartet gig with the EWU faculty rhythm section comprised of Don Goodwin (piano), Michael Waldrop (percussion) and Brian McCann (bass) in a local club. The downbeat was a mere ninety minutes after I got off of my cross country flight and playing with these wonderful musicians re-energized me. The highlight of the clinics, for me, is always meeting and working with the diverse cross section of highly motivated young players. I love talking with them about who they're listening to and what they're practicing. EWU has a wonderful group of musicians under the guidence of Andy Plamondon. Not only is Andy a dedicated teacher and excellent trumpet soloist in both jazz and classical styles, he truly cares for his students and really fosters a family-like atmosphere in the trumpet department. Andy and his students were a joy to be around and I look forward to returning in the future. Special thanks to Rob Tapper, the head of EWU's jazz department, for making me feel so welcome. Larry Chamberlain at Yamaha was instrumental in making this week a success and re-connecting with him after a few years was great. Larry is an excellent ambassador for Yamaha and his knowledge and love for music is what makes him the best in the business.
Photos from EWU Trumpet Madness can be found in the Gallery
David Miller Masters Recital at Rutgers University April 22, 2008
My brother David completed his Masters Degree in Music at Rutgers University in May 2008. Dave assembled a group of old friends to perform at his recital and it was a wonderful weekend of music and fellowship. Dave wrote some great charts and the music was swinging tough! Dave completely burned. Playing with Ben and Ned is always a treat. Aaron's touch is so elegant and Rudy Royston swings like crazy. The post-concert party was a blast and was attended by family, friends and Dave's teachers including Stanley Cowell, Ralph Bowen and Conrad Herwig.
Congratulations Brother!
David Miller (trombone)
Dan Miller (trumpet)
Ned Goold (tenor saxophone)
Ben Wolfe (bass)
Aaron Weiman (piano)
Rudy Royston (drums)
Photos from the concert can be found in the Gallery
Naples Jazz Festival February 15-16, 2008
High School & College Jazz Festival with Clinics and Adjudications
Steve DeLadurantey, the Director of Bands at Golden Gate High School in Naples, organized the First Annual Naples Jazz Festival. It featured two days of clinics and concerts by college and high school jazz bands from all over the state of Florida. The adjudicators/clinicians included some old friends including trombonist Dante Luciani, with whom I was on Maynard Ferguson's Band. We went all over the world with Maynard that year including Europe, Japan and India. Dante is currently the professor of jazz trombone at the University of Miami where he also conducts the UM Concert Jazz Band. He is buring as ever and often works with Ira Sullivan. The fine tenor saxophonist Jeff Rupert is the director of jazz studies at the University on Central Florida in Orlando, and he's built an excellent program by bringing in world-class faculty. He spent a number of years in New York City playing with Lionel Hampton and getting his degree at Rutgers. Organist Jeff Phillips is a staple of the Orlando scene and was smoking on the B-3 walking pedals. We worked with high school and college bands all day and heard some excellent bands from all over the state. UCF brought it's top jazz ensemble as well as it's faculty small group which featured Jeff Rupert, pianist Per Danielsson, bassist Richard Drexler and drummer Marty Morrell of Bill Evans Trio fame. We closed the festival with a two-hour concert by the clinicians which was a blast. Playing with Marty Morrell was a gas and he's so swinging! This festival was a great success made so by the great efforts of the directors, band parents and students who worked very hard to start a jazz festival from scratch.
Dan Miller (trumpet)
Dante Luciani (trombone)
Jeff Rupert (tenor saxophone)
Jeff Phillips (B-3 organ)
Marty Morrell (drums)
University of North Florida October 30-31, 2007
Clincs and Dizzy Gillespie Tribute Concert
I've known jazz trumpet player J.B. Scott for over 15 years. He was a featured soloist with the Dukes of Dixieland for a number of years and was a homegrown UNF grad himself, studying with Bruce Silva. He is a wonderful musician who currently leads the top jazz ensemble and teaches jazz trumpet at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. We've talked about doing a clinic and concert at UNF for years and we finally found a date. I told J.B. that I wanted to do a concert of the music of Dizzy Gillespie. I've been playing many of the original Dizzy big band arrangements for years on clinics, but never an entire program. The top band at UNF was hot and featured a tremendous lead trumpeter in James Justice and an excellent tenor saxophone soloist in Chris Miller. J.B. arranged for a full Latin percussion rhythm section for Tin Tin Deo, Manteca and A Night In Tunisia.
The two days were filled with trumpet lessons and clinics on the wedge and improvisation. The musicians at UNF are swinging and get their motivation from a world class faculty anchored by J.B., the legendary alto saxophonist Bunky Green, pianist Lynne Arielle, guitarist Barry Green and bassist Dennis Marks. Dennis and I were on Maynard's Band together traveling to Japan, Europe and India. Dennis had been teaching at the University of Miami in recent years, while traveling with Arturo Sandoval's band. He recently joined the faculty at UNF and after a little cajoling, he agreed to do Dizzy's feature for Ray Brown, One Bass Hit, with me and the big band. Dennis killed it, just fantastic. The trumpet students were very responsive to the wedge and the concepts of "the breath". There was great dialouge about the trumpet and jazz music and it was very refreshing to work with such focused young players. The night of the concert, the band burned the place down in front of a packed house at UNF's Boathouse. J.B. joined me on Birk's Works and A Night In Tunisia and he played his tail off. What a sound! It was also a great honor to spend time talking music with Bunky Green. Bunky was a part of that great 1950's-1960's Chicago scene with Ira Sullivan, Paul Serrano, Johnny Griffin, Clifford Jordan, John Jenkins, John Gilmore, Von Freeman, Jodie Christian, Don Garrett and Wilbur Campbell. His talk of the scene at that time made history truly come alive. What a tremendous pleasure. I look forward to returning as soon as possible.
12th Annual Jazz on the Green October 27, 2007
As part of an incredibly busy month, The Danny Sinoff Quartet performed at the 16th Annual Jazz on the Green. This weekend of music is not only the biggest jazz festival in SW Florida, but it's also a charity event which benefits The Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida. The 2007 edition featured performances by internationally popular stars Rick Braun, Richard Elliott, Jeff Golub, Walter Beasley and Acoustic Alchemy. The Danny Sinoff Quartet opened the Sunday concert before a festival sized crowd on an incredibly beautiful day. Special thanks to everyone involved with the production, especially the support staff and the sound crew who made the day very enjoyable. It was a pleasure to lend our music to this wonderful charity event.
The Danny Sinoff Quartet:
Danny Sinoff (piano and vocals)
Dan Miller (trumpet)
Jay Heavilin (bass)
Ron Hefner (drums)
Jazz Foundation of America 16th Annual Loft Party October 14, 2007 New York City
I am honored to know Wendy Oxenhorn, the Director of the Jazz Foundation of America. She is selfless and has dedicated her life to tirelessly helping musicians and their families that are in need. The JFA has helped countless musicians and their families in need of medical assistance, housing assistance, legal aid and many other needs without reservation. Their work in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricaine Katrina, seemed overwhelming, but with Wendy at the helm, they helped hundreds find new housing, new instruments, new gigs in other cities and fufilled many needs. Wendy is an angel that walks among us and it's her boundless love and empathy for the artist and their plight, that drives her to achieve the goals of the JFA.
I have been participating in events for the JFA with Danny Sinoff for over three years now. The Loft Party is the second biggest event for the JFA annually after the "A Great Night In Harlem" Apollo Theater concert. The 2007 Loft Party was moving to a much larger space that would feature three separate stages: jazz, vocal and solo piano. Danny and I were to work in the "vocal" loft backing up a variety of great singers with two separate rhythm sections:
Dan Miller (trumpet)
Danny Sinoff and Jon Weber (piano)
Ben Wolfe and Carlo DeRosa (bass)
Chris Brown and E.J. Strickland (drums)
With such a stellar rhythm section line-up, this was guaranteed to swing like crazy. Playing with these guys was just beautiful. The featured vocalists included Danny Sinoff of course, also Gloria Lynne, Fay Victor, Jimmy Norman, Joe Lee Wilson, Stella Mars, and Pamela Luss. It was an incredible night of music, as between sets you could wander to the other rooms and hear Hank Jones, Jimmy Heath, Dr.Lonnie Smith, Randy Weston, Ben Riley, Benny Powell, Jason Moran, Eric Lewis, Bob Cranshaw and Davell Crawford in an endless parade of tremendous performances. It was a special night that I was proud to be a part of.
2007 Syracuse Jazz in the Square July 26-28, 2007
I had an incredible week performing with Danny Sinoff at the 2007 Syracuse Jazz in the Square. The group featured Anthony Pinciotti on drums and Carlo DeRosa on bass, and they were swinging like crazy. We played with the Syracuse Symphony on Thursday and did a quartet set on Saturday. The festival was loaded with appearances by incredible musicians including Hubert Laws, Phil Woods, Rufus Reid, Billy Drummond, Ralph Pendland, Gerald Albright and Dave Budway. We led the jam session on Thursday night and played the session on Friday and Saturday, which stretched past 3:00 a.m. each night. During our time there, we played with some tremendous musicians based in Syracuse including Jeff Stockham and Jesse Collins. This festival is run by the tireless and thoroughly dedicated Larry Luttinger, an excellent drummer, and spearheaded by jazz fan and patron of the arts Senator John DeFrancisco. Thanks to both of them for making this a fantastic weekend.
The Danny Sinoff Quartet:
Danny Sinoff (piano and vocals)
Dan Miller (trumpet)
Carlo DeRosa (bass)
Anthony Pinciotti (drums)
Photos from Jazz in the Square can be found in the Gallery courtesy of photographer John Herr.
Here are two reviews from the Syracuse Post-Dispatch:
Syracuse Post-Dispatch
Thursday July 26, 2007 performance with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra
Jazzing It Up Downtown
Friday, July 27, 2007
By Mark Bialczak
When a 25-year-old singer and pianist with worlds of potential brings his talented quartet to the forefront, that's a very good thing. Florida native Danny Sinoff showed the crowd that's he's an absolutely killer piano player, and his vocals are pretty darn hot, too. With the wonderful Danny Miller on trumpet, Anthony Pinciotti on drums and Carlo De Rosa on bass, Sinoff demonstrated chops and charisma with the ballad "I Wish You Love" and the swinging "On the Street Where You Live" from "My Fair Lady." Miller stood out with muted trumpet on the former and full-bore horn work on the latter. Then Sinoff said: "You guys like Cole Porter? Me, too." He showed it with a fine version of "Love for Sale."
Syracuse Post-Dispatch
Saturday July 28, 2007 performance with the Quartet
Allbright's Finale All Right: Sweet saxophone kisses Jazz in the Square good night
Sunday, July 29, 2007
By Mark Bialczak
Danny Sinoff and his band flipped through the pages of the Great American Songbook and found a wonderful ending. The 25-year-old vocalist and pianist earned two standing ovations. With Dan Miller on trumpet, Anthony Pinciotti on drums and Carlo De Rosa on bass backing him with style that screams big-time, Sinoff showed why he's earning comparisons with a guy from New Orleans who's pretty big in the pop singing biz. Yes, the young man from Florida sounds a lot like Harry Connick Jr. With a big voice, fast flurries on the piano and boyish charm, he won the crowd over with accessible versions of songs that have stood the test of time: "I Wish You Love," "Pennies from Heaven," "The Way You Look Tonight" and "September in the Rain" were bright and memorable. A good sign: Sinoff sounded just as good veering slightly from that well-traveled road with a quite lovely ballad "Stars Fell on Alabama" and sizzling, Sarah Vaughan-inspired "Teach Me Tonight."
New CD Release 7.2007
I'd like to announce the release of a new CD with Danny Sinoff. This is the third cd that I've done with Danny, an excellent young vocalist/pianist with whose group I've been working with since August 2005.
Ellington's Presents: The Danny Sinoff Quartet with special guest David 'Fathead' Newman was recorded in November 2006 and April 2007. This recording features the master of the Texas Tenor, David 'Fathead' Newman.
Maynard Ferguson 1928-2006
I was shocked when Craig Johnson called to tell me of Maynard's sudden passing, as MF seemed completely invincible. I always pictured him like Zeus, sitting on top of a mountain throwing lightning bolts at down at us mere mortals. I was fortunate enough to travel the world with Maynard, and his energy and enthusiasm were boundless and infectious. Every single time he stepped on stage, Maynard was determined to deliver a performance that would be his best.
To me, Maynard was first a hero, then a mentor and then a friend. I will miss his spirit more than anything.
New CD Release 11.2006
I'd like to announce the release of a new CD with Danny Sinoff, an excellent young vocalist/pianist with whose group I've been working with since August 2005. The Danny Sinoff Quartet: Live at Ellington's Volume 2 was recorded live in May 2006 and features a special guest appearance by the incredibly soulful vocalist Jimmy Norman.
New MP3 Content
There are many new MP3's on the site including a quartet recording featuring Ben Wolfe, Whitney Ashe and Anthony Pinciotti. I've also recently added music with Jon Weber, my brother Dave Miller's Sextet as well as excerpts from the new Danny Sinoff Quartet CD "Live At Ellington's: Volume 2". There are also excerpts of recordings with Wynton Marsalis, Tom Jones and Harry Connick Jr.
New Content
I have added a list of 200 Essential Small Group Jazz Recordings 1925-1975 to the articles section. I developed this list in response to numerous questions from students and teachers alike about what recordings to buy and how to start building a collection of great jazz records.
Calender 2010
Private instruction is availiable on an appointment basis.
September 2010
9.16.10 Dan Miller - Jeff Phillips Organ Quintet
The Art League of Bonita Springs Presents Live at The Promenade
Dan Miller (trumpet)
Jeff Phillips (organ)
Dan Heck (guitar)
Gerald Augustin (tenor saxophone)
Ron Hefner (drums) Bonita Art League website
Concert 7:00 p.m.
Promenade at Bonita Bay
26831 South Bay Drive
The intersection of U.S. 41 and South Bay Drive approximately 1.5 miles north of Bonita Beach Road
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
info & tickets call 239-495-8989
June 2010 Saturdays
Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299
6.05.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299
6.10.10 Dan Miller - Lew Del Gatto Quintet
Benefit Concert: Jazzin' it Up with Footsteps to the Future Footsteps to the Future website
Dan Miller (trumpet)
Lew Del Gatto (tenor saxophone)
Joe Delaney (piano)
Doug Kirschner (bass)
Ron Hefner (drums)
Suzie Hulcher (vocals)
Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center website
VIP Reception 5:15 p.m.
Concert 6:30 p.m.
2301 First Street
Fort Myers, FL 33901
239-337-1933
info & tickets call 239 281-7378
event poster: Jazzin' it Up with Footsteps to the Future Poster
6.12.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299
6.14.10 - 6.17.10 Dan Miller @ Gulf Coast Jazz Camp Week One Gulf Coast Music website
Gulf Coast High School
7878 Shark Way
Naples, FL 34119
239-377-1690
For more information contact Steve DeLadurantey (deladust@collier.k12.fl.us) at 377-1690 6.14.10
Bands Rehearse 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. 6.15.10
Bands Rehearse 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. 6.16.10
Bands Rehearse 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Faculty Small Group Concert 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Dan Miller (trumpet)
Lew Del Gatto (tenor saxophone)
Stu Shelton (piano)
Carl McVicker (bass)
Chris DeLadurantey (drums) 6.17.10
Bands Rehearse 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
6.19.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299
6.21.10 - 6.24.10 Dan Miller @ Gulf Coast Jazz Camp Week Two Gulf Coast Music website 6.21.10
Dan Miller Jazz Improvisation Clinic with Jazz Band Two 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Dan Miller Jazz Improvisation Clinic with Jazz Band One 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. 6.22.10
Bands Rehearse 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Dan Miller Jazz History Lecture 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. 6.23.10
Bands Rehearse 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. 6.24.10
Jazz Concert 12:30 p.m.
Gulf Coast High School
7878 Shark Way
Naples, FL 34119
239-377-1690
For more information contact Steve DeLadurantey (deladust@collier.k12.fl.us) at 377-1690
May 2010 Fridays
Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 Saturdays
Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299
5.01.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 5.07.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 5.08.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 5.14.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 5.15.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 5.21.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 5.22.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 5.28.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 5.29.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299
April 2010 Fridays
Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 Saturdays
Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299
4.02.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 4.03.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 4.09.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 4.10.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 4.16.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 4.17.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 4.23.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 4.24.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299
4.27.10 Dan Miller @ Cypress Lake Center For the Arts
Cypress Lake Center For the Arts High School Jazz Night
Clinics & Rehearsal
Cypress Lake Center For the Arts
6740 Panther Lane Fort Myers, FL 33919
4.29.10 Dan Miller @ Cypress Lake Center For the Arts
Cypress Lake Center For the Arts High School Jazz Night
Clinics & Concert with CLCA Jazz Ensemble
Concert 7:00 p.m.
Cypress Lake Center For the Arts
6740 Panther Lane Fort Myers, FL 33919
4.30.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299
March 2010 Fridays
Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 Saturdays
Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299
3.05.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 3.06.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 3.12.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 3.13.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 3.19.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 3.20.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299
3.24.10 Dan Miller with the All Lee County (Florida) Jazz Band
Featuring the music of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Thad Jones, Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie
Clinics and Rehearsals 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts
1856 Arts Way
North Fort Myers, Florida 33917
3.25.10 Dan Miller with the All Lee County (Florida) Jazz Band
Featuring the music of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Thad Jones, Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie
Clinics and Rehearsals 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Concert 7:00 p.m.
North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts
1856 Arts Way
North Fort Myers, Florida 33917
3.26.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 3.27.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299
February 2010 Fridays
Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 Saturdays
Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299
2.02.10 Dan Miller Big Band Clinic
Palmetto Ridge High School 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
1655 Victory Lane Naples, FL 34120
2.06.10 New Orleans Pianist & Vocalist Davell Crawford Davell Crawford website
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299
2.07.10 New Orleans Pianist & Vocalist Davell Crawford Davell Crawford website
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299
2.08.10 New Orleans Pianist & Vocalist Davell Crawford Davell Crawford website
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299
2.12.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 2.13.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299
2.14.10 Valentine's Day at Ellington's Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299
2.19.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 2.20.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 2.26.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 2.27.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299
2.28.10 Dan Miller with the Jerry Stawski Septet Dan Miller with the Jerry Stawski Septet
Jerry Stawski (piano & vocals)
Dan Miller (trumpet)
Lew Del Gatto (tenor)
Sir John (vibes)
Rebecca Richardson (vocals)
Kelly Bryan (bass)
Jimmy Blakemore Jr (drums)
Unity Church of Bonita Spings
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
28285 Imperial Parkway Bonita Springs, FL 34135
239- 947-3100
January 2010 Fridays
Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 Saturdays
Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299
1.01.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 1.02.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 1.08.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 1.09.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 1.15.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 1.16.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 1.22.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 1.23.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299
1.28.10 Dan Miller Big Band Clinic
Palmetto Ridge High School 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
1655 Victory Lane Naples, FL 34120
1.29.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299 1.30.10 Dan Miller with the Danny Sinoff Quartet
Ellington's Jazz Club and Restaurant 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
1244 Periwinkle Way Sanibel Island, FL 239-337-5299
