Summary
Max Miller was a strong component of the Chicago jazz scene for nearly 30 years. As a player, arranger, composer and sideman who appeared solo as well as the leader of various small groups, he earned his place as a mainstay of Chicago jazz. A number of the musicians who came through his groups went on to make their own names in jazz. Although he wrote 115 songs, the most notable compositions from the peak of his career include "Heartbeat Blues" which he performed on the Dave Garroway Show and which Studs Terkel called "loaded with excitement and power". "Solar Plexus Blues", "Lumbar Ganglion Jump" and "Fantasia of the Unconscious", were all reviewed favorably by Claudia Cassidy, noted critic for the Chicago Tribune. "Fantasia of the Unconscious" was performed in concert by classical pianist Howard Legare.
Max Miller was not happy with the situation of recording contracts at that time period and refused to record his original material for record companies when it meant the loss of ownership. This led to the small amount of released recordings that exist today. Had he left a larger body of released music his name might have become much bigger than it is. Although not a famous name now, Miller's pioneering work with small jazz groups is arguably as important as many who are better known today.
Read more about this topic: Max Miller (jazz Musician)
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