Mulgrew Miller’s Jazz Legacy Stems from Greenwood’s Musical Influence

Mulgrew Miller, an influential jazz pianist known for his distinctive style and contributions to the distinct art form, was born in 1955 in Greenwood and even graduated from Greenwood High School. The close-knit community and the surrounding Delta blues culture shaped Miller’s early years and played a critical role in his development. Greenwood offered fertile ground for a young talent like Miller.

 His musical journey began at the age of six when his father bought a piano. This single act would prove transformative for Miller, sparking a passion for music that would define his life. He would sit at the piano for hours, picking out melodies by ear and learning hymns that he’d perform for his father upon his return from work. 

At the age of eight, Miller began formal piano lessons with Albert Harrison, a local teacher who recognized and supported the young boy’s potential. Greenwood didn’t have the resources or prestige of larger towns, but Harrison’s guidance gave Miller a solid musical foundation. Learning under Harrison, Miller was encouraged to develop his skills and explore the piano beyond just classical training, which later enabled him to adapt to a variety of musical styles, from gospel to jazz.

His musical exploration expanded further when he was 10. He attended local gigs with his older brother and gained exposure to live performances with the thrill of professional musicians in action. He spent his teenage years performing in Greenwood, when he played for church gatherings, school functions and even with his own rhythm and blues band. He also joined his school’s band, played the tuba, and created a trio that performed at local parties, which showcased his ambition and reputation as a talented young musician. 

At 14, Miller’s life took a pivotal turn when he saw jazz pianist Oscar Peterson perform on The Joey Bishop Show. This television appearance became a revelation, as he watched Peterson’s improvisational technique. Inspired by this performance, Miller became determined to pursue jazz, so could explore freedom in music and connect deeply with its expressive qualities. Greenwood may have been a small town, but its impact on Miller’s life was significant, providing a supportive base from which he would venture into the wider world of jazz.

Miller’s talent and dedication earned him a music scholarship to Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis), where he studied under notable jazz pianists James Williams and Donald Brown. After two years in Memphis, Miller moved to Boston, where he took lessons with Margaret Chaloff, mother of jazz baritone saxophonist Serge Chaloff. During this period, he performed with saxophonists Ricky Ford and Billy Pierce where he gained invaluable experience and more jazz exposure. 

Miller’s professional career truly began when he relocated to Los Angeles in 1976. Shortly after, he landed a significant position in the Duke Ellington Orchestra, led by Ellington’s son, Mercer. This exposure marked his entrance into the world of professional jazz, and he eventually landed in New York City, where he became an established name in the jazz community. Over the years, he played with influential groups, including Betty Carter’s ensemble, Woody Shaw’s band and the legendary Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, which he joined in 1984.

Miller recorded his first album as a leader, Keys to the City, in 1985, which marked a milestone in his career. Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, he continued to work with prominent artists and led his projects, including the group Wingspan, which became known for its creative arrangements and sophisticated sound. His Greenwood roots always showed in his approach to music: a combination of technical skill, emotional depth and dedication to jazz traditions.

In 2006, Miller’s contributions to jazz were recognized when he received an honorary doctorate from Lafayette College. He went on to become the director of jazz studies at William Paterson University, where he inspired and mentored young musicians, many of whom looked up to him as a teacher and as a jazz role model.

Miller passed away in 2013, leaving behind a legacy deeply connected to his roots in Greenwood. His journey from small town Mississippi to the international jazz stage demonstrates the power of a supportive community and a passion for music.

They say that jazz and blues are cousins or even like brothers having grown up, side by side. Greenwood, with its five markers on the blues trail, can rightfully lay claim to being a birthplace of great musicians. Mulgrew Miller’s influence resonates in the jazz world, and his story serves as an inspiration to musicians who, like him, may come from humble beginnings but have talent that reaches greater heights. He certainly found his beat from the heart of the Delta, and it lives on in his music to make Greenwood proud.