Jazz Break at Noon Archive - August 11-15, 2025

Archived Broadcast: August 11-15, 2025

In late 2024, bassist John Clayton released Talk To Me About Mulgrew, a previously unreleased 2007 duet recording and a touching indirect tribute to the late pianist, Mulgrew Miller. The album, which honors Miller's lifelong friend James Williams, serves as a fond reminder of Mulgrew Miller—a sensitive, soulful, and brilliant pianist, composer, and educator. Born August 13, 1955, Miller passed away in 2013 at the age of 57, cutting short a promising and storied career that began in the 1970s with trumpeter Woody Shaw and continued with Betty Carter, Art Blakey, and later Tony Williams. Over three decades, Miller appeared on nearly 500 recordings, leading his own projects while supporting countless others.

This week, we'll spotlight Miller's work as a leader—including with his acclaimed band Wingspan—and as a masterful accompanist. We'll feature selections from his extensive discography, with a special focus on live recordings, as Miller truly loved performing! Join us for a musical tribute to the life and legacy of Mulgrew Miller.
 

Listen to each weekday's full broadcast playback below!
 

Monday

Our listening session begins with early appearances of Mulgrew Miller as a young accompanist supporting Woody Shaw in the 1970s and other legendary figures from the 1980s and 1990s including Bobby Watson, Cassandra Wilson, Ron Carter, and Kenny Garrett. 

Tuesday

JJ features Mulgrew Miller's earliest recordings as a bandleader including selections from Miller's all-star group, Wingspan. 

Wednesday

We continue our celebration of Mulgrew Miller with select works finding Miller with two significant Tenor giants: Joe Henderson and Joe Lovano. 

Thursday

For this special broadcast, JJ features Mulgrew Miller LIVE with selections from various live recordings at the Kennedy Center and Yoshi's Jazz Club for the MaxJazz record label. 

Friday

JJ concludes the Mulgrew Miller feature with two special recordings finding Miller in a duet setting with trumpeter Roy Hargrove and later with bassist, John Clayton.