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Sing Miller

Biography

James Edward "Sing" Miller (June 17, 1914 – May 18, 1990) was an American jazz pianist and vocalist who became a cornerstone of the New Orleans traditional jazz scene for over five decades.[1][2] Born in New Orleans, Miller initially trained on violin tuned like a ukulele before taking up banjo and string bass as a young musician. His childhood nickname "Sing" proved prophetic, as his vocal talents would ultimately define his artistic legacy despite his considerable instrumental abilities.[2] In 1927, Miller began his professional career as a banjo player at the Okey Lounge and joined Kid Howard's band, while simultaneously establishing his reputation as a vocalist with the Harmonizing Browns Quartet.[2] Beginning in 1928, Miller taught himself piano, drawing inspiration from neighboring blues pianist Stack O'Lee and other local pianists including Steve Lewis, Jeannette Kimball, and Isadore Washington.[2]

Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Miller built an extensive résumé performing with many of New Orleans' most respected jazz musicians, including Percy Humphrey, Earl Foster, Kid Thomas Valentine, Kid Sheik Colar, and Jim Robinson.[1][2] His career was interrupted by military service during World War II from 1942 onward, but he resumed performing with Foster's ensemble following his discharge.[2] Miller's versatility allowed him to work across multiple venues and contexts—from the Carnival Club and Club Plantation in Bogalusa to tent shows touring throughout the South.[2] By the 1960s, he had become a regular fixture at Preservation Hall, where he performed frequently with Percy Humphrey, Kid Sheik, and other traditional jazz luminaries until the end of his life.[1][2]

Miller's artistic contributions were recognized through two solo albums that captured his definitive work: a 1972 recording for Dixie Records and Old Times with Sing Miller, released on Smoky Mary Records in 1975, featuring his vocals and piano alongside Frank Demond (trombone), James Prevost (bass), and Louis Barbarin (drums).[2] Ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax, after witnessing Miller perform at Lincoln Center in New York, was moved to tears by the beauty and emotional depth of his singing, describing his voice as "a sunburst of the soul."[2] Miller remained active until his death on May 18, 1990, leaving behind a legacy as one of New Orleans' most respected traditional jazz performers.[1][2]

Fun Facts

  • Miller's childhood nickname "Sing" came from his vocal talents and proved so fitting that it became his professional name throughout his career, despite his considerable skills on piano, banjo, and string bass.[2]
  • Ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax was moved to tears upon hearing Miller perform at Lincoln Center in New York, describing the first note of Miller's singing as "a sunburst of the soul" and comparing it to "a garden of flowers."[2]
  • Miller performed solo tours of Europe in 1979 and 1981, bringing New Orleans traditional jazz to international audiences late in his career.[1]
  • Miller initially sang with the Harmonizing Browns Quartet early in his career before transitioning to instrumental performance, establishing his reputation as a vocalist before becoming known primarily as a pianist.[1][2]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

  • Stack O'Lee - Blues pianist and neighbor who was particularly instrumental in Miller's decision to learn piano (Piano instruction and stylistic influence) [Late 1920s]
  • Steve Lewis - Piano player whose style influenced Miller's musical development (Piano technique and arrangement influence) [1920s-1930s]
  • Jeannette Kimball - Pianist whose work influenced Miller's piano playing (Piano style influence) [1920s-1930s]
  • Isadore Washington - Pianist whose technique influenced Miller's musical approach (Piano instruction influence) [1920s-1930s]

Key Collaborators

  • Percy Humphrey - Bandleader with whom Miller performed as a soloist and regular collaborator (Percy Humphrey's band, Preservation Hall performances) [1930s-1980s]
  • Earl Foster - Drummer and bandleader whose ensemble Miller joined after World War II (Earl Foster's band) [1945-1961]
  • Kid Thomas Valentine - Jazz musician and bandleader with whom Miller performed regularly (Kid Thomas Valentine's band, recordings) [1960s-1980s]
  • Kid Sheik Colar - Clarinetist and frequent collaborator at Preservation Hall (Preservation Hall performances, recordings) [1960s-1980s]
  • Jim Robinson - Trombonist and regular performance partner (Preservation Hall and other New Orleans venues) [1960s-1980s]
  • Polo Barnes - Jazz musician and frequent collaborator (Various New Orleans performances) [1960s-1980s]
  • Frank Demond - Trombonist who performed on Miller's solo album (Old Times with Sing Miller (1975)) [1975]
  • Louis Barbarin - Drummer who performed on Miller's solo album (Old Times with Sing Miller (1975)) [1975]

Connection Network

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Discography

Albums

Title Release Date Type
Long Way Home 2024-10-18 Album

Top Tracks

  1. Here's Your Perfect (Here's Your Perfect)
  2. Maybe Next Time (Long Way Home)
  3. It Is What It Is (Broken Memories)
  4. I Lost Myself In Loving You (Broken Memories)
  5. Here’s Your Perfect (with salem ilese) (Here’s Your Perfect (with salem ilese))
  6. Empty Room (The Things I Left Unsaid)
  7. Running Out Of Roses (Walker Racing League)
  8. No Matter What (The Things I Left Unsaid)
  9. Maybe Next Time (Maybe Next Time)
  10. Wishes (Snowdrop (Original Television Soundtrack, Pt. 4))
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Heard on WWOZ

Sing Miller has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.

DateTimeTitleShowSpotify
Nov 27, 202510:52Count Your BlessingsTraditional Jazzw/ Sally Young