Meet Mark Christian Miller | Vocalist, pianist, music booker, painter.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mark Christian Miller and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mark Christian, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Growing up in rural Iowa, and being a quiet kid, it never occurred to me that I could actually have a musical life as a performer. I got a taste of it in high school when they hired an enthusiastic, gifted choir director in his first job out of college. (Richard McKinney, who went on to a long and distinguished career as a music educator, composer, arranger, and choir director.). We did two musicals with Richard. It was the first time that had been done in our small, consolidated school. It was great fun and I felt a sense of fulfillment as a performer, even then. I didn’t excel in sports, so it gave me a place.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The very act of identifying as a male jazz vocalist sets me apart from most people. There are not that many of us. But I love the music, and that is what drives me, to the extent that I am “driven.” The best decision I ever made musically was to go back to school and complete the two year music course at Los Angeles City College. After that I continued my piano studies. Through many hours of practice, I have become I would say a competent accompanist for myself. I do keep the focus on my primary instrument, which is my voice, but the piano has informed my singing in very positive ways. Keyboard studies have also taught me patience and focus, two things I struggle with a bit. I started painting again during the pandemic lockdowns. My paintings please me and people seem to respond to them. I don’t consider myself a great painter, rather a colorist. I respond to organic forms, movement and energy.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
In LA there are so many varied options. If that person was a jazz fan, I would take them to Sam First, the intimate club down by LAX. Great room, and all the full time jobbing musicians work there, the quality of the music is very high. Then I would take them on a trip up the California Coast to Big Sur. We have some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the world. Back in LA, on a clear day we would take a drive along Mulholland Drive where the vistas of both the LA Basin and the San Fernando Valley are remarkable. I would take them to Susan Feniger’s great restaurant SOCALO in Santa Monica for a brunch, and to Herb Alpert’s Vibrato in Bel Air, which is a gorgeous supper club, to dine and hear some more music. Disney Hall in downtown Los Angeles, Huntington Gardens in Pasadena, The Getty Museum in Malibu, I mean it is almost endless. I really like the vibe in Los Angeles. Contrary to popular belief, there is a deep history here that can still be accessed.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
To the memory of the late Teri-Merrill Aarons, who founded The Los Angeles Jazz Society and gave me great support and encouragement when I started singing professionally in LA.

Website: https://www.markchristianmiller.com/

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Image Credits
Mark Christian Miller