He is as charismatic as his music is captivating. Critics have aptly named him a composer, educator, musician, conductor and performing artist. His name, Melvin Maurice Miller. Born and raised in one of the largest cities historically known for great jazz and jazz greats, Chicago, Illinois - it's no small wonder that music would become his life's passion.
The sound of his horn and the style with which he performs comes from a variety of influences. He has learned from listening to many of the great masters. His sound: Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Lee Morgan, Doc Severinsen, Freddie Hubbard, Wynton Marsalis. His phrasing: the vocals of Sarah Vaughn , Nancy Wilson and Ella Fitzgerald to name a few.
Just as music has no boundaries, Melvin's talent has made him a world-renowned musician and musical director. From classical to pop and jazz the music has no limits. Melvin is currently the musical director for international recording artist Gloria Gaynor and has been the musical director for The Original "Dream Girl" Jennifer Holliday. He was also a member of the unique group called Five Men On A Stool. He has performed in cities across the U.S from; Orlando, Florida for the opening of Epcot Center to California with The UniverSoul Circus. Melvin has performed in various countries; Tokyo, Japan for the Mirage Bowl; clubs in Osaka, Japan; Switzerland for the Montreaux Jazz Festival; Negril, Jamaica; Hong Kong, Mexico, Copenhagen Denmark, Frankfurt Germany and Rio De Jenerio, Sao Paulo, Salvador, Receife, Manus Brazil for 65,000 people at one concert. He has traveled and/or performed with artists such as Kim Waters, Kirk Whalum, Eric Essix, The Temptations, Lou Rawls, The Dells, The O'jays, James Brown, Wynton Marsalis, Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Hargrove, Miles Davis, Dr. Clark Terry and Pamela Anderson of "Incognito". Melvin has opened for Richard Elliot, Roy Ayers, Everette Harp, Bob James, Alex Bugnon, Norman Brown, Kim Waters and Bobby Lyle. He has recorded with Alex Bugnon, the Tennessee State University Jazz Ensemble, Carol Albert, rapper Malik, The Florida Mass Choir, blues singer Sandra Hall, Speech of Arrested Development and Ann Nesby. He also performed in the Curtis Mayfield/Repercussion music video of "Let's Do It Again."
Choosing Atlanta, Georgia as his place of residence, Melvin's preference is Adult Contemporary Jazz, He is a well-rounded musician, with the training to perform both classical and jazz. Melvin also held the position of principal trumpet with the African American Philharmonic Orchestra of Atlanta.
His primary performances have included Centennial Olympic Park and venues across the globe. Melvin and his band have been featured on the NBC/11 Alive morning show Peachtree Morning, the cable television show Beyond The Barriers and on the UPN television program “Atlanta Tonight.” He has also performed for BET. Melvin regularly performs the National Anthem for the Atlanta Falcons football games at The Georgia Dome and the Atlanta Hawks basketball games at Phillips Arena. Melvin wrote and performed the opening fanfare for the 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2007 Trumpet Awards on Turner Network Television. Melvin was the musical director for the 2006 Trumpet Awards. He can be heard on the latest releases by Alex Bugnon “Southern Living” and “Free.” Melvin has also appeared in Jet Magazine. The sound of Melvin's trumpet can be heard in hit motion picture “Madea's Family Reunion.” His first release was "A Christmas Gift” followed by “Innocent Bystander” and his latest project "Here's To Life" has received rave reviews. Friends and fans celebrate him as a man of unimaginable creativity. He is affectionately called "young man with a horn," a title bestowed on him by his mother.
