Saxophonist/Composer Larry Miller is an active performer and teacher. He has two CD releases as leader that features his original compositions and his ability on jazz standards. His CD “Freya’s Song” was released in November of 1997, and his second CD “Storm Head” was released by the jazz/funk/fusion group Navica in July 1999. Both CDs have seen radio play. Ross Porter, host of the popular “After Hours” CBC radio show, has featured selections of “Freya’s Song”. Miller currently leads his own group that has performed on the BCTV News hour and at many jazz festivals and venues throughout Western Canada.
Miller’s compositions are gaining international notice as his Suite for Saxophone Quintet and Woodwind doubles has been published through Brazinmusikanta Publications of New York, U.S.A. This Suite was premiered at the World Saxophone Congress at Montreal in July 2000. Miller was commissioned to write the piece by the Pacific Saxophone quartet of Victoria, B.C. and was the featured soloist with this group. In November of 2000 his arrangement for female vocalist and big band was performed at the Port Theatre in Nanaimo B.C. featuring Elizabeth Ryan on vocals and Miller on Alto Saxophone. This performance was part of the Port Theatre’s tribute to Remembrance Day.
Miller has played in small and large ensembles with players such as Hugh Fraser, Campbell Ryga, Ross Taggart, Ian McDougall, Don Clark and Mike Herriott. With these players he has performed Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and Duke Ellington’s arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite. He has performed lead Tenor sax for the big bands of Dal Richards, (when on Vancouver Island), Chris Millington, noted trumpeter Gary Guthman, Nanaimo’s NMA, and the exciting mini-big band called Decadence. He has performed lead alto, tenor, and the Bari sax chair with Hugh Fraser’s International Jazz Orchestra. This group is dedicated to performing the works of past masters and the compositions of its members. Miller has performed in numerous musicals such as “The Music Man” and “Kiss Me Kate”. He also plays in Blues groups, does free-lance jazz gigs, and works in show bands on cruise ships. Miller played Saxes, clarinet and flute with John Forest (Bass) in the Chemainus Theatre’s
Production of “Hello Dolly” during the summer of 2002.
Miller was born in Port Alberni B.C. His education consists of an Associate in Music Diploma from Malaspina College, and an Honors Degree in Music from York University in Toronto. “My time in Toronto in the 1980s was invaluable for me as it allowed me to hear and participate in a great variety of music.” He has studied saxophone with Lynne Greenwood, Pat Labarbera, David Mott, Phil Dwyer, Mike Murley, and Steve Jones. He has studied clarinet with Earl Thomas and flute with Jennifer Cluff. He moved back to Vancouver Island in 1990 to complete a Bachelor of Education Degree (1992) and a Masters in Performance/Composition (1994) at the University of Victoria.
Miller is currently rehearsing a new quintet that will perform his original compositions in preparation for recording and touring. He teaches at Malaspina University-College, the Conservatory of Music in Nanaimo B.C. , and Shawnigan Lake private School.
