Mark Christian Miller

Biography

Mark Christian Miller is a vocalist, pianist, and jazz promoter based in Los Angeles who has established himself as a respected figure on the West Coast jazz scene. Born in Storm Lake, Iowa, Miller moved to Los Angeles where he developed his craft as a jazz vocalist. He came to prominence after winning a scholarship to study music full-time at Los Angeles City College, where he was discovered by Los Angeles Jazz Society founder Teri Merril-Aarons during an honors concert. This led to bookings at top venues with accomplished accompanists. Miller's vocal style is characterized by warmth, clarity, and conversational intimacy, drawing inspiration from vocal jazz artists such as Bobby Troup, Bob Dorough, Dave Frishberg, Blossom Dearie, and Mose Allison—artists known for writing clever, hip jazz melodies and lyrics.

Beyond his performing career, Miller has been instrumental in shaping Los Angeles's jazz landscape through extensive work as a music booker and promoter. He curated a seven-year Sunday night jazz series at Chaya Brasserie in Beverly Hills, programmed the summer music series at Descanso Gardens for 12 years, and has worked with prestigious festivals including the Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl, the Dubai International Jazz Festival, and the LA Made series at the Grand Central Library. His 2015 album "Crazy Moon" spent four months on the national jazz radio charts and was named one of the top 15 vocal jazz albums of the year by Jazz History Online. Miller has since released "Music in the Air" (2022) and his fourth album "Strange Meadowlark," featuring legendary rhythm section members Joe LaBarbera on drums and Chuck Berghofer on bass. As a board member of The Los Angeles Jazz Society, Miller continues to support the organization's educational and music presentation activities, including the virtual concert series launched during the pandemic.

Fun Facts

• Miller was tapped by legendary artist manager Alan Eichler to appear in a series of performances with Anita O'Day, one of jazz's most celebrated vocalists.
• Scott Yanow of Music Connection Magazine called Miller 'A superior vocalist, one of LA's finest,' and Michael Feinstein praised his interpretations as 'joyful, swinging, and a pleasure to hear.'
• In response to pandemic lockdowns, Miller, along with other Los Angeles Jazz Society board members, launched 'Los Angeles Jazz Society Presents,' a virtual concert series that continues to focus on emerging student musicians.
• Miller programmed the popular summer music series at Descanso Gardens for 12 years and has worked with prestigious festivals including the Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl and the Dubai International Jazz Festival, demonstrating his dual expertise as both performer and promoter.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Page Cavanaugh - Veteran pianist who embraced Miller and became a frequent collaborator; Miller began booking, recording, and performing with Cavanaugh after meeting him at a jam session (Multiple recordings and performances together) [1990s onwards]
• Joyce Collins - Veteran pianist and private piano instructor who taught Miller and supported his early career development (Private piano instruction; featured on debut CD 'Dreamer With a Penny') [1990s onwards]
• Jane Getz - Private piano instructor who contributed to Miller's musical foundation and keyboard development (Private piano instruction; featured on debut CD 'Dreamer With a Penny') [1990s onwards]
• Gildo Mahones - Pianist and frequent collaborator during Miller's early career; known for work with Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, Lorez Alexandria, and Lou Rawls (Early performances and recordings) [Early career period]
• Teri Merril-Aarons - Los Angeles Jazz Society founder who discovered Miller during an honors concert at LACC and began booking him into top venues with accomplished accompanists (Career launching and venue bookings) [1990s onwards]

Key Collaborators

• Jamieson Trotter - Pianist and arranger on Miller's third album 'Music in the Air'; known for fresh arrangements full of rhythmic and melodic surprise ('Music in the Air' (2022)) [2022]
• Danny Janklow - Alto saxophonist providing solo relief and unison complements on 'Music in the Air' ('Music in the Air' (2022)) [2022]
• Larry Koonse - Guitarist providing solo relief and unison complements on 'Music in the Air'; also guest artist on 'Crazy Moon' ('Music in the Air' (2022); 'Crazy Moon' (2015)) [2015, 2022]
• Joe LaBarbera - Drummer on Miller's fourth album 'Strange Meadowlark'; legendary rhythm section member with extensive credits in jazz and pop ('Strange Meadowlark') [Recent]
• Chuck Berghofer - Bassist on Miller's fourth album 'Strange Meadowlark'; legendary rhythm section member with extensive credits in jazz and pop ('Strange Meadowlark') [Recent]
• Josh Nelson - Pianist featured on 'Crazy Moon' (2015); also a protégé presented by Miller during his Chaya Brasserie series ('Crazy Moon' (2015)) [2015]
• Anita O'Day - Legendary artist with whom Miller shared the bill in a series of performances arranged by manager Alan Eichler (Series of performances) [Career period]

Artists Influenced

• Sara Gazarek - Up-and-coming vocalist presented by Miller during his seven-year curation of the Sunday night jazz series at Chaya Brasserie in Beverly Hills (Performance at Chaya Brasserie series) [During Chaya Brasserie series]
• Kris Bowers - Emerging artist presented by Miller during his seven-year curation of the Sunday night jazz series at Chaya Brasserie in Beverly Hills (Performance at Chaya Brasserie series) [During Chaya Brasserie series]
• Graham Dechter - Up-and-coming musician presented by Miller during his seven-year curation of the Sunday night jazz series at Chaya Brasserie in Beverly Hills (Performance at Chaya Brasserie series) [During Chaya Brasserie series]
• Kathleen Grace - Emerging artist presented by Miller during his seven-year curation of the Sunday night jazz series at Chaya Brasserie in Beverly Hills (Performance at Chaya Brasserie series) [During Chaya Brasserie series]
• Margo Rey - Up-and-coming vocalist presented by Miller during his seven-year curation of the Sunday night jazz series at Chaya Brasserie in Beverly Hills (Performance at Chaya Brasserie series) [During Chaya Brasserie series]

External Links

• Spotify