Allison Miller (drummer)

Allison Miller (born 1974 or 1975)[1] is an American, New York City-based drummer, composer, and teacher. She has recorded five albums as a bandleader: 5 AM Stroll, Boom Tic Boom, No Morphine-No Lilies, Live at Willisau, and Otis Was a Polar Bear, as well as working as a session musician. Her work with bands has included forming the band Honey Ear Trio with Rene Hart and Erik Lawrence, Holler and Bam with Toshi Reagon, and her own band, Allison Miller's Boom Tic Boom.[2]

Allison Miller
Miller performing in 2015
Background information
OriginNew York City
Genresjazz, folk, rock, pop
Years active1999–present
Associated actsHoney Ear Trio, Erin McKeown, Agrazing Maze
Websiteallisonmiller.com
Miller at Reykjavík Jazz Festival, Iceland 2015

Miller has performed with songwriting vocalists Ani DiFranco, Natalie Merchant, and Erin McKeown, and toured with avant-garde saxophonist Marty Ehrlich, organist Doctor Lonnie Smith and folk-rock singer Brandi Carlile.[3][4][5]

Early life

Miller comes from a long line of musicians on her maternal side. Her grandmother was a professional organist in Oklahoma, whose sister was a professional singer. Her mother is a classical pianist and choral director. Miller has a cousin who she described as "a very famous opera singer".[6]

Miller was raised in the Washington, D.C. area, and began playing drums at the age of 10. She attended West Virginia University.[3] Within two months after graduation,[6] she moved to New York City to study with Michael Carvin and Lenny White, and began her career as a freelance drummer. She has also worked as a producer, composer, and teacher.[3]

Personal life

Miller identifies as a lesbian.[5] In 2013, she contributed an essay to Huffington Post describing her coming out process and her experiences as a female, lesbian, and feminist in the male-dominated jazz world.[7]

Discography
  • 5am Stroll (Foxhaven Records) (2005)
  • At The End of The Day, Agrazing Maze (Foxhaven Records) 2006
  • Boom Tic Boom (Foxhaven Records) (2010)
  • Boom Tic Boom: Live at Wilisau (Foxhaven Records) (2012)
  • No Morphine No Lilies featuring Boom Tic Boom (The Royal Potato Family) (2013)
  • Otis Was a Polar Bear featuring Boom Tic Boom (The Royal Potato Family) (2016)
  • Science Fair with Carmen Staaf (Sunnyside Records) (2018)
  • Glitter Wolf featuring Boom Tic Boom (The Royal Potato Family) (2019)

Other projects
  • Steampunk Serenade - Honey Ear Trio (Miller, Rene Hart, Erik Lawrence) (2011)
  • Swivel - Honey Ear Trio (2016)
  • Lean - Lean (Miller, Jerome Sabbagh, Simon Jermyn) (2016)
  • Parlour Game - Parlour Game (Jenny Scheinman, Miller, Carmen Staaf, Tony Scherr) (Royal Potato Family, 2019)

As side musician

Miller's work as a session musician includes:

  • Betty 3 - Betty (1999)
  • No Walls - Virginia Mayhew (2000)
  • Phantoms - Virginia Mayhew (2003)
  • At The End of The Day - Agrazing Maze (2005)
  • Heart and Soul Live in San Francisco - Kitty Margolis (2005)
  • Tiny Resistors - Todd Sickafoose (2008)
  • Jungle Soul - Dr. Lonnie Smith (2008)
  • Red Letter Year - Ani Difranco (2008)
  • Bear Creek - Brandi Carlile (2012)
  • ¿Which Side Are You On? - Ani Difranco (2012)
  • The Stars Look Very Different Tonight - Ben Allison (2013)
  • Last Things Last - Greg Cordez (2017)

References
  1. "Honey Ear Trio". www.honeyeartrio.com. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  2. Zigman, Joelle. "Interview with Celebrity Drummer Allison Miller". DapperQ.com. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
  3. "Musician Profile: Allison Miller". All About Jazz. Archived from the original on July 8, 2014. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  4. Ring, Trudy (February 12, 2014). "Who the F Is … Drummer Allison Miller?". Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  5. Gilbert, Andrew (April 5, 2013). "Jazz drummer Allison Miller speaks her mind". The Mercury News. San Jose, California. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  6. Matzner, Franz A. (May 17, 2010). "Allison Miller: Breaking Ground". All About Jazz. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  7. Miller, Allison (February 26, 2013). "'You Don't Play Like a Girl': Queer in a Jazz World". Huffington Post. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
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