Mark Christian Miller
Music in the Air
(Sliding Jazz Door Productions)
April 1, 2022
Reviewed by Mary Bogue
Maybe because spring is truly in the air, but Mark Christian Miller’s new CD release, Music in the Air, makes one feel bouncy and buoyant, floating on a dream. Somehow life improves just by listening to Miller’s fresh approach to “If You Never Fall in Love with Me” (Del Sasse/Sam Jones/Donald Wolf). Jamieson Trotter’s innovative arrangements and piano stylings evoke visions.
It’s impossible not to fall in love with his easy-going version of “Lullaby of the Leaves” (Bernice Petkere/Joe Young), as Miller swings in his own personable style. Soon, you’re flying with the title cut (Gigi Gryce/Lee Sears/Quisim Bashir/Jon Hendricks). With his crisp and conversational vocal stylings, Miller is clearly the navigator of this journey to heaven; he’s easy to understand, and his singing is clearly beautiful.
Don’t miss his “I Wished on the Moon” (Ralph Rainger/Dorothy Parker) as bassist Mike Gurrola’s solo will have you fully engaged, and Miller continues to convey sentiments with loving emotion. His sideman Kevin Winard shows brilliant restraint on drums, and Danny Janklow on alto sax is positively enthralling. Guitarist Larry Koonse ensures you have a ticket to paradise on “If You Could See Me Now” (Tadd Dameron/Carl Sigman).
The Music in the Air CD is yet another great accomplishment from Mark Christian Miller. He weaves a dreamy rendition of “Prelude to a Kiss” (Duke Ellington/Irving Mills/Irving Gordon) and leaves us with his personal kiss, one on which to build a dream of joining him on a floating cloud of love. He is masterful at dream-weaving.
Available at all the usual outlets.
