Allison Miller: Bio

BIOGRAPHY

NYC-based drummer Allison Miller defies all boundaries bringing her individual sound to diverse types of music while preserving their stylistic authenticity. Allison goes from playing with legendary songwriting vocalists Ani DiFranco and Natalie Merchant, to touring with avant-garde saxophonist Marty Ehrlich and legendary organist Doctor Lonnie Smith. She approaches each of these musical situations with her own stylistic identity and a creative, fresh and energetic approach. Allison is also an avid composer, singer, and producer. She is currently celebrating the release of her new band's self-titled album, EMMA, and is anticipating the release of her new piano trio album, BOOM TIC BOOM, featuring Myra Melford on piano and Todd Sickafoose on bass. She continues to celebrate her critically acclaimed 2004 debut release – 5AM Stroll (Foxhaven Records) and 2005 release Agrazing Maze: At the End of the Day (voted top 10 jazz records of 2005: All About Jazz NY). Allison also produced the critically-acclaimed children's album "Ask the Planet" (2009). Organized by the Biomimicry Institute, "Ask the Planet" connects environmentalism with song, while educating children about respecting the environment and learning from nature's plan. Allison began playing the drums at age 10. She quickly began studying with a top teacher in the Washington DC area - Walter Salb. In 1991, she was featured in Downbeat magazine's "Up and Coming" spotlight. She was soon playing in clubs in DC and eventually continued her passion for music by receiving a Bachelor of Music Performance degree at West Virginia University. After graduating summa cum laude in 1996, she moved to NYC to begin her career as a freelance drummer and continue her studies with the great Michael Carvin. Allison has since performed and recorded with the likes of Natalie Merchant, Ani DiFranco, Pino Daniele, Kenny Barron, Doctor Lonnie Smith, Myra Melford, Erik Friedlander, Mark Helias, Todd Sickafoose, Steven Bernstein, Ray Drummond, Peter Bernstein, Erin McKeown, Sheila Jordan, Marty Ehrlich, George Garzone, Melissa Ferrick, Kitty Margolis, Michael Fienstein, Toshi Reagon, Mike Stern, Rachel Z, Kevin Mahogany, Ingrid Jensen, Paul Bollenback, Barbara Dennerlein, John McNeil, Jenny Scheinman, Virginia Mayhew, Bruce Barth, Mark Soskin, Harvie S, poet sensation Alix Olsen and the band Betty. Allison's drumming and composing have also been featured on the Showtime hit series, The L Word. In addition, Allison has been chosen by the US State Department to tour East Africa, Eurasia and Southeast Asia as a Jazz Ambassador.

In 2008 Allison founded the "Walter Salb Memorial Musical Scholarship Foundation" in honor of her late teacher and mentor. The foundation annually provides a promising young musician a monetary award directed toward furthering their studies in music. She also holds an adjunct teaching position at Kutztown University and gives lessons and masterclasses at additional universities and high schools throughout the United States - including NYU, UMASS Amherst, University of Alaska, Elon University, University of Southern Florida, West Virginia University, Berkeley Jazz School, University of the Pacific, UC Berkeley and the University of Maryland. She recently had one of her lessons published in DRUM magazine and has also been featured in Downbeat, Jazz Times, Modern Drummer, Traps, All About Jazz NY, and Female Musician magazine.

Allison endorses Yamaha drums, Zildjian cymbals, Vic Firth sticks and mallets, and LP Percussion.

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