april 2024
Spring has sprung and the school year is winding down. Marcus will help celebrate the Students of Color Commencement at the University of Redlands this month. Miller will also facilitate a rhythm circle for students at Hamilton High school in Los Angeles, CA.
Miller’s son Veritus, a sophmore at Berklee College of Music in Boston, is one of the featured Artists this month in their Young Performers Showcase series at the Avalon Ballroom in Hollywood on 4/8/20.
march 2024
After a blistering February, March is fairly laid back and relaxed. This month we’ll be in Tracy & Carmel, CA with the Lula Washington Dance Theatre for a couple of performances mid month. Other than back, back to the grind!
February 2024
This year we have one extra day to celebrate Black History month. My how things have changed in recent years, but we’re thankful to have the opportunity to celebrate our cultural heritage with as many audiences as possible. Marcus will present programs at the Malabar Branch library in Boyle Heights on 2/1/24 and the Central Branch library in DTLA on 2/17/24. On 2/2/24, Marcus and his ensemble will present a special school assembly for the Echo Horizon school in Culver City. For a complete list of events, please check out our calendar page.
january 2024
As usual, the beginning of the year is always slow…’tis the season of booking conferences and trade shows. As sure as the wind blows, we’ll be presenting at APAP and IABD. Look for us at the Lula Washington Dance Theatre booth.
December 2023
This month is full of events. If you’re in Los Angeles, please consider checking out some one these events. December 2, 2023 the “Conjure” exhibition opens at the William Grant Still art center. There is an online concert event on December 14, 2023 called the Concert For Peace & Humanity. The month closes out with the annual Kwanzaa celebration at the Lula Washington Dance Theatre. For more information, please see the calendar of events.
NOVEMBER 2023
November is the prep month for a fast & furious end of the year. December will be quite full…Get your popcorn ready! Here’s one event, not to miss!
october 2023
As Autumn sets in…the work begins! Catch Marcus at the annual World Indigenous Peoples Day celebration at San Bernardino Valley College on 10/11/23 at 7:00 p.m. Starting to get ready for the Kwanzaa season…stay tuned in!
september 2023
Taking a little break to celebrate the solar return…see you in the Autumn.
August 2023
Still in the studio…Here’s a sneak peek at what we’re building.
MARCUS L. MILLER
Photo Credit: Esperanza Martinez, CSUSB
july 2023
Summer is still creeping along…Spending a lot of time in the studio working on some new music.
june 2023
Unfortunately, the summer is starting off unusually slow! No shows to report at the moment. That means it must be time for a vacation! See y’all soon.
May 2023
This month, Marcus brings his drum show to the Sun Valley branch library. Join him on May 4, 2023 for this pre-Cinco de Mayo celebration.
April 2023
April is here and about to hit full gear.If you celebrate Ramadan, Passover, or Easter, enjoy your celebrations. On Earth day (4/22/23), please join us at the William Grant Still art center in Los Angeles for a very special spring exhibition. This year’s African-American composer series features the music of Afro-Colombia.
When African enslavement is brought up, resistance is often left out. Masters were poisoned, fires were set, martial arts were used, but have you heard of maroon towns? These were entire communities developed by self-liberated (formerly enslaved) Africans, and their descendants still occupy them today. Not only that, there is a rich culture and music that was (and continues to be) composed in these maroon towns. Different regions of the diaspora have different names for maroon towns. Brazil calls them quilombos. In Panama, they are cimarrones. The US and Jamaica call them maroon towns. Our upcoming exhibition will focus on the areas that are colonially called Colombia and Panama.
The William Grant Still Arts Center presents its 15th Annual African American Composers' Series Bullerengue and Beyond: Learning the Palenques of the South East Caribbean Through Sound. This year, we are expanding our definition of American by looking beyond the borders of the United States and into the music of communities along the Caribbean coast of Colombia and Panama. We are also looking beyond our canonized forms of approaching who is a composer.
With origins in the Congo, Angola and West Africa, we are learning that bullerengue, cumbia, vallenato, and salsa use sounds and polyrhythms that mirror those found in nature. The exhibition will also include vibrant Caribbean Pico culture. Picos are huge hand-painted speaker stacks used to blast music out to the community. Much like a Pico, we seek to amplify the resilient and anonymous voices through whom oral and sonic tradition has kept maroon communities thriving. Come witness what we have learned!
March 2023
After a very busy February, that saw Marcus entertain hundreds of young audiences throughout Southern California at several Los Angeles Public Library branches and a couple of LAUSD schools including the Woodland Hills Branch, Exposition Park Branch, Westwood Branch, and the Open Magnet Charter School, March is the time to rest and recover. Not much on tap as Winter comes to an end, but we’ll see you again soon in the Spring!
February 2023
In celebration of Black History month, Marcus has many drum workshops scheduled. Miller is scheduled to appear at libraries, schools, and churches in Redlands, Mission Viejo, Los Angeles, Woodland Hills, San Bernardino, and Westwood. Please check the calendar if you would like to attend any of the sessions.
This month also marks the start of a 10 week after-school drum program at the Figueroa St. school in Watts. Miller and members of the Project World Drum ensemble will facilitate the program. The program is for elementary school students in the 3rd-5th grades and focuses on the traditional styles of West African and Afro-Cuban drumming.
january 2023
And so it begins…a new year filled with new adventures and more moments to pursue. ‘Tis the season for African drum programming. On January 17, 2023 Marcus will facilitate a drum workshop for the Eagle Rock branch library. This is a family friendly event that is open to the public. Marcus returns to the University of Redlands on January 27, 2023 to facilitate a drum circle for a Health & Wellness conference. There is a chance that there might be a Marcus Miller Ensemble sighting, but at the moment it is TBA. Stay tuned in and thanks you for the support.
december 2022
The Marcus Miller Ensemble, with special guests Dwight Trible, Maiya Sykes, Jennifer Sparks, Leon Mobley and a very special guest soloist TBA, will perform with the Lula Washington Dance Theatre for their annual Kwanzaa celebration on December 28, 2022. For more information, please contact the Lula Washington Dance Theatre at 323.298.LULA.
November 2022
This November, we’re in prep mode for some exciting events coming in December. This includes an online virtual book launch for Miller’s debut release, The Zen Art of Drumming and a special tribute to the late Pharaoh Sanders. The book launch will be hosted on a live Zoom by publisher Elyssar Press and will feature interview with Marcus L. Miller by moderator Imani Blackwell. Until then, have a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday season.
October 2022
Nouveaux Afro makes it’s live debut with a special in-person event on 10/8/22.
In 2020, several months into the Coronavirus Pandemic, Miller premiered a new show called Nouveaux Afro. The show’s pilot episode was a virtual broadcast which featured the art forms of poetry, music, dance, and visual art. The show is a black Art(s) variety showcase. Miller has produced three episodes and the fourth is days away.
This live show will feature a new music project called the Afro-Fusion project. It features Miller’s original music and the vocal phrasings of New Orleans’ own Big Chief Shaka Zulu. The show will be held at the William Grant Still art center in Los Angeles, CA. For those in Los Angeles planning to attend, please scan the QR code to reserve your spot today. Don’t worry if you can’t be there in-person, the show will eventually be available for online streaming.
September 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 8, 2022
Media Inquiries contact:
Ami Motevall ami.motevalli@lacity.org
Tamar Productions tamarprod@gmail.com
Nouveaux Afro: Marcus L Miller and NOLA’s Big Chief Shaka Zulu, Master Class, and Live Performance
The William Grant Still art center in association with Tamar Productions brings the inspiration of New Orleans, culture and sound on Saturday October 8, 2022 with a full day of Mardi Gras Indian culture, music and tradition. Two events, a Master Class and Live Performance with Marcus L. Miller are scheduled for the afternoon and evening. .
Master Class:
The William Grant Still art center will present a Master Class with the 2022 (NEA) National Heritage Fellow recipient Big Chief Shaka Zulu. Shaka Zulu is one of the lead Black Masking Craftsmen of New Orleans and the leader of the Goldenfeather Hunters tribe. The focus of the class will be on the costuming tradition of the Goldenfeather Hunters. His class is an oral history lesson that includes discussion about the migration to the Americas, the evolution and creation of Congo Square, and the 160 years timeline of life, cultural and musical practice as free black people in the United States of America. Shaka will give participants some insight into a cultural tradition that is for the most part not general public knowledge, but an integral part of American History.
Live Performance:
Hosted by Quami the Entertainer, the evening performance is a showcase of the Arts called Nouveaux Afro™. It will feature a live in-person performance by the Afro-Fusion Project featuring Big Chief Shaka Zulu & Marcus L. Miller. Miller is a multi-faceted percussionist who has developed a distinctively original style and sound. He has toured and performed with his musical projects both nationally and internationally and also recorded and released over 20 albums. He conceived the idea for this group in 2018 yet this evening’s live performance will be the premier manifestation for the public.
The group combines Shaka’s powerful vocal chants with Miller’s rhythmic grooves. The result is a hybrid of Contemporary and Afro-Beat tempo fused with rhythms of the African diaspora. The style brings a lyrical Call & Response style conversation that is inherent to Black Culture. The Afro-Fusion Project consists of Big Chief Shaka Zulu (vocals/percussion), Mark Sims (bass), Michael Hyde (keyboards), Eric Wilson (sax), Sehn-Ra Chestnut-Books (trumpet), Mark Tyson (guitar), Jah-Amen Mobley (percussion), Irvin Bannister (percussion), and Marcus L. Miller (drum set)
Both events will be held at the William Grant Still art center located at 2520 S. West View Street in the West Adams Neighborhood of Los Angeles Los Angeles. Seating is limited, please RSVP for both the Master Class and show performance by clicking on the links below.
Event:
Master Class- 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
RSVP Master Class: https://marcusmillerdrums.com/rsvp-master-class
Performance - Doors-7:00 p.m., Live -7:30 p.m.
RSVP Performance: https://marcusmillerdrums.com/afrofusion-project
Location:
The William Grant Still Arts Center
2520 S. West View Street
Los Angeles, California 90016
323-734-1165
The William Grant Still Arts Center is a facility of the City of Los Angeles, Department of Cultural Affairs.
This month we’re in final preparations for the Nouveaux Afro show on October 8, 2022. The show will feature a musical performance by Miller’s latest project, the Afro-Fusion project featuring Marcus L. Miller & Big Chief Shaka Zulu. To reserve a seat for the show, please scan the QR code.
August 2022
On Sunday August 21, at 5:00 p.m. M&M…the Afro-Persian Experience will perform a concert at Fiesta Hall in Plummer Park located in the city of West Hollywood, CA. This is performance is part of the city of West Hollywood’s summer music series sponsored in part by Grand Performances.
JULY 2022
Marcus has partnered with Musicians at Play to offer a series of weekly drum circles for all Inglewood high school students. There are also free classes in strings, woodwinds, and percussion.The programs run from June 21-July 28, 2022 and are held at Morningside High School. This program is part of a city-wide Arts initiative by the city of Inglewood and the Inglewood Unified School District.
JUNE 2022
As the midway point of 2022 approaches, its time to get ready for the Summer season. For Marcus, that means Summer Drum Camp & Summer concerts.
This year the camp will be held at St. Elmo Village in Los Angeles, CA from June 13-17, 2022. Camp registration has closed, but if you are interested in future sessions, please click below to send us a communication. If you would like to see highlights from the camp, please click the link below.
As for the concerts…the Juneteenth concert has been postponed for later this summer. Unfortunately now, there are no scheduled performances for this month. Stay tuned in!
May 2022
With summer right around the corner, things are finally swinging back into form. There is actual news to report.
May has been quite busy! Marcus is preparing for a couple of special events that include an Arts conference focusing on the history & future of South Central Los Angeles. The event was held at the William Grant Still art center in L.A., CA. Please see below for more info about this event.
As the school year winds down, it’s time for the annual STOMP performance by the 4th & 5th graders at Open Magnet Charter school in Los Angeles. Miller has directed the show for the past 6 years. This year’s culminating occurred on Monday 5/16. This year, the kids absolutely showed out!
Miller facilitated a drum circle on the campus of the University of Redlands on Friday 5/20 at 5:00 p.m. Approximately 75 people gathered to partake in the rhythm circle. Participants ranged in age from 4-80+. The event was sponsored by the campus’ Meditation Room under the direction of Fran Grace.
Artwork by Nelan-Ay Miller
MMD@UoR Photo Credit: Fran Grace
jan-Apr 2022
Winter -Spring happened…Pretty epic!
Marcus conducted his first drum workshop of the year at the A. K. Smiley public library in Redlands, CA. Tis special event was in celebration of Black History Month and a part of their Black Health & Wellness campaign. Despite a torrential rainstorm, the event was well attended and held at the Joslyn Senior Center. Miller’s presentation consisted of a lecture/demonstration followed by a drum circle. Many thanks to all who participated and shared in the discussion.
MMD@AKSmiley Photo Credit: Jennifer Downey
December 2021
Many holiday celebrations are happening now. Enjoy, be safe, merry and festive. The annual Lula Washington Dance Theatre Kwanzaa celebrations have been Postponed until February. For tickets and more information, please contact the Lula Washington Dance Theatre at 323.292.LULA or go to www.lulawashington.org.
*Tune in to view a livestream of Miller’s performance @ https://www.marcusmillerdrums.com/live-stream
November 2021
No new news to report…In some ways, it kinda feels like 2020 again! Any many places, things are still a bit slow in the music industry.
OCTober 2021
St. Elmo Village presents A celebration of life…Roderick Sykes
Artists will gather to perform in memory of the late Roderick Sykes. He was an influential artist in the Los Angeles community who was co-founder & Executive Director of St. Elmo Village. The Marcus Miller Ensemble will perform a short set.
Sunday October 17, 2021 at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center Los Angeles, CA 90019
September 2021
This month is kinda quiet too, I think vacation must still be in effect.
August 2021
This is typically a vacation month for some or a return to school month for others. For countless artists…it’s another month of uncertainty. Not much to report in the way of events. That just hasn’t quite come all the way back around yet. Maybe one day soon? ‘One new item to mention…the latest episode of Nouveaux Afro is now available on the Nouveaux Afro YouTube channel.
July 2021
Universe Soul Records is proud to announce the release of its latest album from artist/percussionist Marcus L. Miller. 2021 P.C. is the 19th release for Miller by the label. The album is available on most platforms that stream music including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, YouTube, and a host of others.
The album was recorded during the Coronavirus pandemic of 2020-21 and the mood and titles of the songs reflect some of the questions and issues we dealt with collectively and are forced to confront moving forward.
June 2021
As of June 15, 2021, most of California will be back open for business. Still waiting to see how that affects the music industry. Yes, there have been some concerts announced and tours commenced, but let’s just wait and see how many gigs come back. It’s been a long 15 months! Happy to announce that we’ll be back in the swing of things on June 19th! Don’t worry if you can’t be there, we’ll be broadcasting this event online for all to see. Simply RSVP to wgsarts@lacity.org.
May 2021
This year Marcus is one of the featured composers in the composers series held at William Grant Still art center in Los Angeles, CA. There is a concert scheduled for June 19, 2021 at the center featuring the Marcus Miller Ensemble with special guests. For more information, please go to the link below.
www.facebook.com › WilliamGrantStillArtsCenter
2015 - Duke Ellington, Love You Madly PRAYER/PROTEST/PEACE is a virtual survey & retrospective celebration of 12 years of the annual African American Composer series presented by The William Grant Still Art Center, which has looked at the life and work of African-American composers each spring through exhibitions of original archives.Virtual Opening Saturday, May 1st, 2021 - Closing Reception ...
April 2021
April was much like March…Quiet! Fortunately summer is coming and I have a feeling that things will start to heat up.
march 2021
This month, all is still quiet on the musical front. There are signs that things are coming back to life in our industry, but it still is out of synch. This month also marks the one year anniversary of my last proper public performance (3/9/12). Hopefully I won’t be adding a two this stat next year. Stay tuned in for more to come eventually. In the meantime, here’s a sneak peek of things to come.
February 2021
All Dolled Up: A 40 Year Celebration of the William Grant Still Arts Center’s Annual Black Doll Show is coming to an end. Our dolls are All Dolled up and unlike the rest of the world, have places to go. Join us for The Gala on February 6, 2021. In this milestone exhibition, we will reflect on our forty years of the community coming together to present Black Dolls in all of their forms.
Performers include The Marcus Miller Ensemble, The Veritus Miller quintet, and a myriad of Doll makers including Pat Taylor and Teresa Tolliver.
JAnuary 2021
All Dolled Up: A 40 Year Celebration of the William Grant Still Arts Center’s Annual Black Doll Show continues. Our dolls are All Dolled up and unlike the rest of the world, have places to go. Join us for Going to the Club January 9, 2021 and The Gala February 6, 2021. In this milestone exhibition, we will reflect on our forty years of the community coming together to present Black Dolls in all of their forms.
Performers include DJ Novena Carmel, M.C. Quami the Entertainer, and a myriad of Doll makers including Pat Taylor and Teresa Tolliver.
DECEMBER 2020
We’re bringing it back! It’s time to drum out 2020 and prepare to bring in a new year. The Meditation Room at the University of Redlands is hosting an online drum circle. Facilitator Marcus L. Miller will lead participants on a percussive journey that can only be experienced via this zoom broadcast. For more information and to register, please contact the Meditation Room (meditation_room@redlands.edu) at the University of Redlands. Participants are encouraged if they have a drum or some sort of percussive instrument to play along or simply listen and move to the rhythms. This is a family friendly event. All ages are welcome.
All Dolled Up: A 40 Year Celebration of the William Grant Still Arts Center’s Annual Black Doll Show, a year so special, we will open online and roll out in three parts with three themes. Our dolls are All Dolled up and unlike the rest of the world, have places to go. Join us for Getting Dolled Up December 12, 2020, Going to the Club January 9, 2021 and The Gala February 6, 2021. In this milestone exhibition, we will reflect on our forty years of the community coming together to present Black Dolls in all of their forms.
Performers include Project World Drum, Veritus Miller, Poets Kaelyn Wilson, A.K. Toney, Writer Erin Aubry Kaplan, and a myriad of Doll makers including Pat Taylor and Teresa Tolliver.
November 2020
Celebrating the 40th year of the Lula Washington Dance Theatre. Based in Los Angeles, this Black modern dance company & school has persevered and succeeded against all odds. Join them on 11/21 for a special zoom broadcast for the complete story. Stay tuned in, more information to come soon.
october 2020
This month we celebrate the ancestors…
september 2020
It’s Finally Here…Nouveaux Afro!
Check it out!
August 2020
WEDNESDAY NIGHT August 26, 2020 AT 8PM (PDT)
TAMICA WASHINGTON-MILLER HOSTS:
SOUTHLAND SESSIONS
"Dance Break"
Episode on KCET
https://www.kcet.org/shows/southland-sessions/episodes/dance-break
(the link takes you to right place but the actual show won't be up until wednesday night)
We will take a look at how LA Choreographers have been creating during COVID and current Protests
I interview:
Lula Washington - Lula Washington Dance Theatre, (including Lula's new work VISION 2020)
Jackie Lopez - Versa-Style Dance company
Chloe Arnold - Syncopated Ladies
Kareli Montoya - Ballet Folklorico de Los Angeles
see works them plus more from these groups
Kayamanan Ng Lahi Philippine Folk Arts
Contro Tiempo
Directer Joel Kazuo Knoernschild
Jacob Jonas
and more....
LEFT dancers and I will have a FB/IG LIVE Watch Party more info to come!
AIRDATES
WednesdayAug26 8:00 PM PT
KCET-HD
ThursdayAug27 12:00 AM PT
KCET-HD
July 2020
The only thing that has really changed, is the drastic increase in the number of Covid-19 cases throughout the world especially in the U.S.A. Not much new news to report [musically speaking]…In case you missed the premiere of the AfroBeat Dance Party last month, here’s your chance to catch up. Simply click on the link below and enjoy the show!
JUne 2020
June, as predicted because of the ongoing Covid-19 precautions, is going to be a relatively slow month. In fact the entire summer will probably look somewhat like this. With new cases on the rise and no cure still neither insight nor on-hand, the remainder of 2020 could play out along these lines as well. We’re bracing for an extremely slow cycle(s) in the entertainment industry.
With that said, we invite you to join us for P.R.A.I.S.E. 2020…the AfroBeat Dance Party. Please tune in on Monday June 29, 2020, at 1:30 p.m. PST, for a special performance featuring Universe X & the Apostles of Funk along with dancers representing the Lula Washington Dance Theatre. Clear out some space in your living room or take the party outside…where ever there’s space to move and groove.This presentation will be available for viewing on the Instagram [IG] Live platform (@marcusmillerdrums).
May 2020
Had hoped to have a different report, but things are still about the same…thankfully, CA is still sheltering in place and that’s a good thing. Thanks to all the Essentials & Front-liners!
Stay Safe! Stay Home! Stay Protected!
Recently, we lost a major player…Baba Tony Allen. If you know and love Fela’s music, then you know & love Tony Allen. I am honored to share my thoughts about the legend live on-air. Tune into Radio Afrodicia with DJ Nnamdi Saturday May 2, 2020 4-6 p.m. www.kpfk.org fm 90.7. In case you missed it, go to the radio archives and pull it up there. In his honor, we’re bringing back the Afro-Beat dance party this year (on-line). Stay tuned in for more information.
Baba Tony Allen-Master Drummer, pioneer & innovator of Afro-Beat
April 2020
All is quiet on all fronts…especially the Western Front! Despite most activities being halted for the month of April too, life goes on. At the moment on-line Master Classes are happening…Just finished one for the William Grant Still art center (L.A.) and will be working with Get Empowered (NYC) & the NYC public schools system in Brooklyn next week.
Also on tap…I’ll be playing an on-line dance class with choreographer Winifred Harris every Wednesday morning on IG live at 10:00 a.m. MST/9:00 a.m. PST. Stay tuned-in…
FYI…Registration for Summer Drum Camp - 2020 (Online) is now open.
March 2020
Due to Covid-19 precautionary measures…all March drum events have been PostPoned until further notice. More information TBA soon!
The Willie Bobo concert March 7, 2020 - Marcus L. Miller & Project World Drum w/ Special Guests
Saturday March 7, 2020 at the William Grant Still art center in Los Angeles, CA, was the scene of the Willie Bobo music and art exhibition celebration. The show featured a special performance by Marcus L. Miller and Project World Drum with special guests Derf Reklaw (bongos/flute) and Angel Figueroa (timbales). A highlight moment included Eric Bobo sitting in on Timbales with DJ Rhettmatic on the “Wheels of Steel”. The lineup included David Leach (congas), Alan Lightner (steel pans), Quami Adams (congas), Bobby Pierce (keyboards), Carlitos Cuba (bass), Eric Garcia (guitar), David Gotler (trumpet). Many thanks to the those in attendance…you packed the house and helped to make this a memorable day in L.A. Here are a few of the images from the day…Enjoy!
*To read a review of the show, please click below.
February 2020
This month, the So Cal Drums project kicked off in Redlands and continued in Los Angeles. The Meditation Room at the University of Redlands is the sponsor/host site for our monthly drum circles. Meanwhile in Los Angeles, CA…St. Elmo Village is the sponsor/host for our drum circle events. Here’s a look at both events.
*To read a review of the event, please click below.
January 2020
On my annual trip to the N.A.M.M. show in Anaheim, CA I saw some incredible products on display. Of all the products, the one that caught my eye and attention was a product made by the Swedish company Freedrum. Their product is revolutionary and definitely a potential game changer. Here’s my introduction to the product.