Marcus Miller joins Paul Cashmere for an expansive Noise11 interview covering more than four decades of music, from his earliest solo recordings to his extraordinary work with Miles Davis, Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Frank Sinatra, The Bee Gees, Elton John, Donald Fagen and Billy Idol.
Miller looks back at his first solo album, Suddenly, released in 1983, and explains why he felt he had not yet developed a singular musical identity. He discusses how that changed with The Sun Don’t Lie and how M², Renaissance, Afrodeezia and Laid Black helped establish his distinctive approach to bass-led contemporary jazz.
One of the most revealing sections of the interview focuses on Miles Davis. Miller explains what Davis taught him about space, restraint and knowing when not to play. He also tells the story of how he moved from being Davis’ 21-year-old bass player to becoming the composer and producer behind Tutu, one of the defining albums of Davis’ later career.
Miller also recalls his long creative partnership with Luther Vandross, the making of Aretha Franklin’s Jump To It, his unexpected contribution to Mariah Carey’s Vision Of Love and his first encounter with Whitney Houston.
The conversation moves into the world of studio recording, with Miller sharing stories from Donald Fagen’s The Nightfly, Billy Idol’s Whiplash Smile, Elton John’s Victim Of Love and Frank Sinatra’s L.A. Is My Lady. He also remembers the unusual circumstances of discovering he had played on a Bee Gees recording as a New York session musician.
Miller will bring music from his Miles Davis years, alongside his own repertoire, to Australia in 2027.
Watch the full Marcus Miller interview with Paul Cashmere and subscribe to the Noise11 YouTube channel for more interviews, music news and conversations with the artists who shaped popular music.
Tour Dates
Tuesday, April 13, Perth, Riverside Theatre
Thursday, April 15, Brisbane, Fortitude Music Hall
Friday, April 16, Sydney, Enmore Theatre
Saturday, April 17, Melbourne, Palais Theatre
Sunday, April 18, Adelaide, Thebarton Theatre
https://gerrardallmanevents.com.au
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