American jazz drummer, composer and bandleader
Allison Miller (born 1974 or 1975) is an American, New York City-based drummer, composer, and teacher.
Early life.
Miller is descended from a long line of musicians on the maternal side of her family. 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".
Miller was raised in the Washington, D.C. area, and began playing drums at the age of 10, studying with Walter Salb. She attended West Virginia University.
Career.
5 years after graduating from West Virginia University, she moved to New York City to study with Michael Carvin and Lenny White, and began her career as a freelance drummer. Because of this, she's earned gigs with artists like Ani DiFranco, Brandi Carlile, and more. She has also worked as a producer, composer, and teacher.
She has recorded six albums as a leader: "5 AM Stroll", "Boom Tic Boom", "No Morphine-No Lilies", "Live at Willisau", "Otis Was a Polar Bear", and "Glitter Wolf" as well as working as a session musician. Her work with bands have included "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, "composed of Todd Sickafoose, Marty Ehrlich, and Dan Tepfer"."
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.
Some of Miller's music has been featured in Showtime series, "The L Word". She is also a three-time Jazz Ambassador for the United States State Department, having traveled to East Africa, Eurasia, and Southeast Asia.
Personal life.
Miller identifies as a lesbian. In 2013, she contributed an essay to "The Huffington Post" describing her coming out process and her experiences as a female, lesbian, and feminist in the male-dominated jazz world.
As side musician.
Miller's work as a session musician includes:
References.
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