As 2015 continues to unfold Robert Miller, leader, bassist and composer for Project Grand Slam (PGS) have exciting plans in the works. First up is the July 10 single release of New York City Groove featuring the robust pipes of 2013 The Voice semi-finalist Kat Robichaud. "This song was created as a kind of love letter to my NYC home, with a true NYC vibe." says Miller.
In addition to New York City Groove, the band has recorded more new tunes, entered into a distribution agreement with Creative Entertainment Network (CEN)/RED Distribution, is organizing a full performance schedule and will soon be premiering a new video.
Robert Miller was born into a musical family and had no choice but to start playing music while in grade school. Piano lessons gave way to the trumpet, and by the time The Beatles rocked the world on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964 rock and roll had become the young musician's obsession. It was in 1970 that Miller's fate as a jazz performer was sealed when he was fortunate enough to be assigned, though a school music program, to private studies with Jimmy Garrison, John Coltrane's bassist.
In the early '90s Miller put together The Robert Miller Group. The band continued the Fusion vein that Miller loved and Robert began his composing career. Their first release, Child's Play (1994), featured incredible guest musicians including Randy Brecker, Jon Lucien, Al Foster, Tony "Thunder" Smith, and Miller's old band mate Anton Fig; 1996 saw a follow up release, Prisoners of Love. The band played widely, including the Telluride Jazz Festival, the San Bernadino Jazz Festival, NYC jazz festival and clubs like The Blue Note and Birdland in NYC.
In 2007 Miller formed Project Grand Slam. PGS's debut album, Play (Cakewalk Records 2008), was produced by Grammy winner Frank Filipetti and featured the top radio hit The Captain Of Her Heart, a cover of the Double song, with internationally renowned guest vocalist Judie Tzuke. In addition to rave reviews, PGS and five of Miller's tunes from Play were featured in an episode of the hit NBC-TV series, "Lipstick Jungle." In 2012 PGS released its follow up album, Spring Dance(Cakewalk Records). The album featured five of Miller's new compositions, including the title track, which was another top radio hit and garnered only positive reviews. Next came the 2014 release Twenty (Cakewalk Records), a compilation CD featuring 16 of Miller's best compositions recorded over the last twenty years by Project Grand Slam and The Robert Miller Group.
PGS consists of the following young, talented musicians in addition to Robert on bass: Joel E. Mateo -- drums, Nathan Cepelinski -- saxophones, Ben Sher -- guitar, and Marcello Casagrandi -- keyboards.
The first of many shows to come - Saturday, July 4th at Blue Note Jazz Club in NYC, NY. For more information, visit www.projectgrandslam.com.
Videos