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Three years since the release of his last album, Afrodeezia, multi-Grammy-winning bassist Marcus Miller will release his new album “Laid Black” on Blue Note Records on June 1st. The album pre-order launched last Friday along with the lead single “Untamed” which is now available to stream or download.
Three years since the release of his last album, Afrodeezia, multi-Grammy-winning bassist Marcus Miller will release his new album “Laid Black” on Blue Note Records on June 1st. The album pre-order launched last Friday along with the lead single “Untamed” which is now available to stream or download.
When asked about the new album He said “Afrodeezia was like a musical voyage through my history” explains Miller. “I followed the journey of my ancestors by collaborating with musicians along the African Slave route – musicians from West Africa, North Africa, South America and the Caribbean. With Laid Black, I decided to bring the music right up to the present – using elements from what’s happening in urban music today. So you’ll hear hip-hop, trap, soul, funk, R&B AND jazz on this album. The music is calm but also powerful and funky, drawing on the black musical experience. Laid Black.”
Most of the tracks on the album were recorded with his band in a New York studio and he also recruited guest artists Trombone Shorty, Kirk Whalum, Take Six, Jonathan Butler and Selah Sue. Of his band, Miller says: “My guys are incredibly talented. They play everything from bebop to hip-hop. All of the special guests I called have the same vision about jazz, which made it possible to create this mix of music. Oh and if you like bass, there’s plenty of serious bass work on this album too!”
Marcus Miller has one of the most enviable and expansive musical careers in the industry. Born and raised in New York to a musical family (legendary jazz pianist Wynton Kelly is a cousin), Miller’s characteristic bass sound can be heard on a limitless catalogue of hits from Bill Wither’s “Just The Two Of Us”, to Luther Vandross’ “Never Too Much”, to songs from Chaka Khan, Herbie Hancock, Eric Clapton, Aretha Franklin, George Benson, Elton John and Bryan Ferry to name a few. With his distinctive style – a unique combination of funk, groove and soul – Miller is often referred to as one of the most important bass players in jazz, R&B, fusion and soul.
His rich resume of outstanding collaborations include a 15-year songwriting and production partnership with Luther Vandross and artists as varied as David Sanborn, Roberta Flack, Aretha Franklin, Al Jarreau and Wayne Shorter. Perhaps most notable, after several years of touring in Miles Davis’ band in his early 20s, Miller composed, produced and arranged the ground-breaking album and title song Tutu, making Miller the last primary collaborator for this jazz legend. Tutu went on to win two Grammy awards and is widely considered to be one of the definitive Miles Davis albums of our time.
Marcus miller and his band will be performing live in Europe this July (See Tour Dates Below) and is also the official host of several sold-out jazz cruises each year, put on by Entertainment Cruise Productions, including Blue Note at Sea, which sails next on January 26, 2019 featuring a stellar line-up including Miller, Robert Glasper, Terence Blanchard, Wynton Marsalis, and more.
Visit marcusmiller.com for more details.
2018 European Tour Dates.
July 1 – Eddie Rosner Stage – Lviv, Ukraine
July 3 – Theatre Antique – Vienne, France
July 5 – Open Air Stage Jacka Hotel – Wadowice, Poland
July 7 – Ulmer Zelt – Ulm, Germany
July 8 – Prairie Du Bois D’Hyver – Fontainebleau, France
July 10-12 – Ronnie Scott’s – London, UK
July 13 – North Sea Jazz Festival – Rotterdam, Netherlands
July 15 – Dracula Club – St. Moritz, Switzerland
July 17 – Scala Ludwigsburg – Stuttgart, Germany
July 19 – La Pinede Gould – Antibes, France
July 20 – Cour D”Honneur Du Chateau Des Ducs De Savoie – Chambery, France
July 21 – Anfiteatro – Pompei, Italy
July 24 – Castello Di Udine – Udine, Italy
July 25 – Anfiteatro Del Vittoriale – Gardone, Italy
July 26 – Piazza Napoleone – Lucca, Italy
July 27 – Jardin Christian Dio – Granville, France
July 28 – Parc De L’Abbaye De Leffe – Dinant, Belgium
July 30 – Circus Tent on the Rugby Stadium – Marciac, France
You can Pre-Order Laid Black at iTunes and Amazon.
Last modified: April 25, 2020
