1980s
Vladimir Miller studied music at Trent Park University from 1981-4, during which time he experimented with contemporary theatre and performance arts projects and regularly performed the works of such composers as Kurt Weil.
In 1987 he formed a modern jazz quartet playing his own compositions on the London jazz circuit whilst maintaining solo piano residencies over a period of three years.
1990s
In 1990 Vladimir formed a composition partnership with singer / songwriter Heather Joyce and co-wrote music to an award-winning theatre production of Carousel’s ‘Smokescreen’, premiered at the Brighton Festival. Their music has also been performed throughout England, including festivals at Bath and London’s Soho.
In 1992 Vladimir travelled to Eastern Europe to explore new musical possibilities. He instantly formed new musical associations with musicians and performance artists that have continued to endure. His collaborations with installation art group ‘Blah’ and musicians such as Vladimir Rizitsky (reeds), Vladimir Tarasov (drums), Vladislav Makarov (cello) and Alexander Alexandov (basson) have led him to festivals in Siberia (Novosibirsk and Irkutsk), Arkhangelsk, Nijzni Novogorod and Ekaterinbourg in Russia, Odessa and Kiev in the Ukraine, Lithuania and Latvia.
Vladimir has been awarded two British Council sponsored grants. The first was with multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Paul Moss, touring the town perimeters of Moscow. The second was an education workshop project with Scottish drummer Ken Hyder in the Russian republic of Tuva, on the borders of Mongolia and Estern Siberia.
His frequent visits to Moscow and consequent close interaction with music producer Nikolai Dmitriev helped cement the forming of the Moscow Composers Orchestra (MCO), which he now directs. Since the debut CD Kings and Cabbages released by Leo Records in March 1993 the MCO has experienced successful concert tours of Germany, Italy, Switzerland and others, including individual performances at ‘Tampere Jazz Happening’ in Finland, Koln Musik Triennale in Germany, Bolzano Jazz Festival in Italy, Vienna Russian Festival in Austria, Mimi Jazz Festival in France and as part of ‘Unsung Music’ at London’s South Bank. This last concert was broadcast on BBC Radio 3’s ‘Impressions’ programme. MCO have released seven CDs to critical acclaim. Scott Yanow, in Jazziz, wrote “shocking at first.. but, as one becomes accustomed to the long tones and motional intensity, the music becomes magically coherent and logical.” In BBC Music Magazine Ian Carr described the MCO as “a highly successful venture in the improvised music area.”
2000s
Vladimir formed Helen McDonald and The Descendants in 2004, the result of a writing partnership with Helen McDonald that began during jam session evenings in London’s West End. The band gradually cemented what became Ancestral Collective. Vlad and Helen have written many songs and pieces together and have collaborated on a multi-media jazz suite called ‘Pushkin in Africa’ which describes the life of the celebrated Russian poet Alexander Pushkin, and focuses on his African ancestral roots. As Helen McDonald and The Descendants the band released two CDs, Picking Up and Descendants, on the British label ASC Records.
Vladimir maintained his work with Moscow Composers Orchestra, and collaborated with extraordinary vocalist Alexander Novitz on the ASC Records album Bitter Sweet Island.
As the Vlad Miller Quartet, with John Sanderson (saxophones), Leslee Booth (bass) and Dave Rohoman (drums), Vladimir recorded Between Two Storms for 33 Records. With Adrian Northover replacing John Sanderson, the quartet has gone on to gig regularly and to release a number of albums on the ASC Records label.
2010s
In addition to continuing to work together in his quartet, now known as Vlad Miller and Notes from Underground, Vladimir and Adrian Northover formed the improvising trio The Dinner Party, with double bassist Pierpaolo Martino. They have regularly gigged across Europe and have recorded 2 albums for FMR Records.
Vladimir formed a duet with trumpet player / flautist / composer Hutch Demouilpied, Miller Hutch, which has gigged in the South of England and released several albums on Bandcamp.
2020s
Vladimir continues to gig and record with Vlad Miller and Notes from Underground, The Dinner Party, and Miller Hutch. His most recent releases include the quartet’s album Kurakin’s Diary on ASC Records.
A major new project is The Grief Opera. The Grief Opera uses classical and jazz forms, and is part-opera, part-concert, and part-musical. It is a collaboration between lyricist and singer Nigel Linacre, who lost his son to suicide, and Vladimir, who composed the music and is musical director for the performances. A recording of The Grief Opera has been released on the Prima Facie Records label.
Press Quotes
“Miller… avoids flamboyance, buliding solos through sure and steady accumulation, gravity in the harmonies, tenderness in the touch.”
(Julian Cowley. The Wire magazine 2003)
“Using …left-hand vamps of a Mal Waldron and …forceful atonal right hand jabs of Cecil Taylor, Miller is both rooted and free …”
(Fred Grand. Jazz Review 2002)
“The solos he plays on originals such as ‘Between Two Storms’ are expressive and fleeced with a composer’s instinct for form.”
(John L Walters. The Guardian 2003)
“Millers’ strong melodic lines and stabbing, darting flurries of notes all suggest an original talent.”
(Duncan Heining, Jazzwise magazine 2006)