Miles Donahue

Saxophone, Trumpet, Piano, Jazz Camp

I am a Jazz educator, composer  and performer on saxophone, trumpet and piano, all of which utilize music theory. My  discography includes multiple versions of the Jazz Workbook published in 2006 by Mel Bay  Books. This book is a learning tool for jazz improvisation, and I have used it to help both high  school students and my college students at Middlebury College. I am honored that it has  been recommended by the great Billy Pierce of the Jazz Messengers who said, “I recommend  this book highly it is what you need to know.” 

Jazz was my music of choice early on and I was fortunate to have close friends who were like  minded. In my early twenties I organized a group of musicians consisting of Jerri Bergonzi,  the late great Charile Banacos and Harvie S. We played on the Herb Pomeroy Show, Channel  2 in Boston, and later performed at the famous Arlington Street Church concert.  

My career took a new direction having developed lip problems from playing trumpet; I  moved to alto sax and later tenor sax. I also took up piano. Married at twenty I needed to  develop a more secure career and piano was one way to do that. It also fostered my study of  music theory and composition which has been a lifelong passion.  

In the 80’s I was fortunate to connect with Paige Brook of the New York Philharmonic  Orchestra with whom I collaborated on two albums. On the first album 30/60 I played piano  and all the compositions were my originals. The second album Swingin’ Flutes was released  by Tioch Records. 

In 1992 I recorded my first album as a band leader titled Double Dribble; Timeless Records of  Holland would be one of two European jazz labels releasing my albums. The second label was  Italy’s Ram Records. These albums were recorded live at UNH in Manchester NH. Both albums  featured Kenny Werner on piano. The third album for Ram Records was a studio album  featuring Billy Hart, Mick Goodrick, George Garzone and Kenny Werner. 

I subsequently formed my own label, Amerigo Records and released two albums, In the Pocket (1999) and Bounce (2004). These two albums featured Fred Hersch, Joey Calderazzo,  Jerry Bergonzi, John Pattitucci and Kurt Rosenwinkle. Combined they comprised 18 originals.  Beginning in 2003 and ending in 2013 I released five albums of standards. Reviewer Steve  Greenlee for the Boston Globe stated “This is a massive and impressive project.” In reference to another project Bob Blumenthal (Boston Globe jazz critic) said,” Discover a jazz treasure,  equally adept on trumpet and various saxophones and a composer of grace and originality.”  

I will conclude by saying that I have made 17 albums, composed more than 80 originals and  in addition to the Jazz Workbook written over 18 articles for Jazz Ed magazine on the subject  of jazz improvisation. I have been privileged to play, teach and compose the music I love.