Buffalo Welcomes Marcus Miller To Buffalo State PAC!
Buffalo is gearing up for an unforgettable night of jazz as the iconic Marcus Miller is set to perform at the Buffalo State Performing Arts Center on Friday, March 14th at 8 pm. With a career that spans decades, Marcus Miller has redefined the role of the bass in jazz, working alongside legends like Miles Davis and Luther Vandross, and inspiring generations with his innovative style and soulful sound.
JazzBuffalo had the opportunity to catch up with Marcus Miller this week in an exclusive interview. In anticipation of his special visit to Buffalo, we asked Marcus three questions about his illustrious career and his vision for the future of jazz.
Q1: Marcus, throughout your illustrious career, you’ve collaborated with some of the biggest names in jazz and beyond. Which collaboration stands out as the most transformative for you, and why?
Marcus Miller: “My work with Luther was instrumental in me developing my R&B side. I was pretty young when we began writing and producing music together. The first hit song we wrote together was “Jump to It” which in 1982, put Aretha Franklin back in the game. She hadn’t had a hit in a few years. Luther and I wrote stuff for Teddy Pendergrass, Cheryl Lynn, Dionne Warwick, and A LOT of stuff for Luther himself. I think I really grew as a writer/producer working for 20 years with him. On the jazz side, working with Miles Davis was pretty major for me. To play bass and compose for someone who by the time I worked with him, had been a legend already for 30 years, was an incredible experience. The stories he would tell about legendary musicians who I had listened to on old records really brought them to life. Watching Miles constantly searching for new ways to make music was really inspiring.”
Q2: As someone who has navigated various eras in jazz, how do you view the evolution of the jazz genre today, and what role do you believe emerging musicians play in shaping its future?
Marcus Miller: “I believe jazz has stayed alive this long because each new generation brings their own flavor to it. So every 10-15 years or so, jazz gets a new sound: big band in the ’30s, bebop in the ’40s, Cool Jazz in the ’50s, Bossa Nova and Latin Jazz in the ’60s, Funk Jazz, Jazz Rock (Fusion) in the ’70s, retro Jazz in the ’80s, Hip Hop Jazz and Smooth Jazz in the ’90s. Over the last 20 years, young musicians have been taking jazz in a lot of directions. We’ll see which ones stick. But this is the responsibility of young jazz musicians in my opinion; to combine their new flavor with the tradition. I’m still making my mix. I have a base in funk jazz but mix it with current influences from the young musicians I work with.”
Q3: In addition to your exceptional performance skills, you’ve made significant contributions as a composer and producer. What advice would you offer to aspiring musicians looking to build a multifaceted career in the music industry?
Marcus Miller: “I’ve been making a career from being a musical octopus, having my hands in everything; R&B, jazz, producing, arranging, radio, and composing movie scores. If as a young musician, you want this kind of career, you have to immerse yourself in each of these disciplines. But start off by learning an instrument well. This will be your launching pad. It will give you the discipline and musical knowledge you need to venture into the other areas. Be hungry, grab information from everywhere, from every style, from every producer, everyone. Then go out and do your thing, accept all challenges. Good luck!”
Join us in celebrating the enduring spirit of jazz as Marcus Miller brings his legendary groove to Buffalo. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness a master at work on a night that promises to be inspiring. Reserve your seats now for an evening that will undoubtedly be quite special!
To learn more about Marcus Miller visit on Friday, March 14th at 8 pm – visit this link!
https://buffalostatepac.org/calendar/great-performers-series/event:marcus-miller-1
To reserve your seat now, visit this link! (You better hurry, seats are going fast and limited seats left!)
https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/88074054/marcus-miller-buffalo-buffalo-state-performing-arts-center
