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Allison Miller: Boom Tic Boom

By Mark Corroto
March 12, 2010
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Just say yes to records led by drummers. Why? Because drummers may rarely be the leaders or composers, but they're always the soul of any good recording. Where's

John Coltrane

saxophone
1926 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coltrane without

Elvin Jones

drums
1927 - 2004

" data-original-title="" title="">Elvin Jones, or

Keith Jarrett

piano
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Keith Jarrett without

Jack DeJohnette

drums
b.1942

" data-original-title="" title="">Jack DeJohnette? Nowhere. That's why, when a session is commanded by a percussionist, as is Boom Tic Boom by drummer Allison Miller, there is reason to revel.

Miller has held the drum chair for jazz artists such as

Marty Ehrlich

woodwinds
b.1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Marty Ehrlich,

Steven Bernstein

trumpet
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Steven Bernstein,

George Garzone

saxophone, tenor
b.1950

" data-original-title="" title="">George Garzone,

Rachel Z

keyboards

" data-original-title="" title="">Rachel Z, to pop and folk stars Natalie Merchant and Ani DiFranco. She co-leads several bands: "emma" with singer/songwriter Erin McKeown, TILT with pianist

Taylor Eigsti

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Taylor Eigsti, and Agrazing Maze with trumpeter

" data-original-title="" title="">Ingrid Jensen. Miller's ability to embrace multiple formats of music, making them relevant to the immediate situation she finds herself in, is the key to her success.

This disc, her second as leader, follows 5am Stroll (Foxhaven, 2004) and is a piano/bass/drums trio session, except for one track, "CFS (Candy Flavored Sidewalks)," with violinist

Jenny Scheinman

violin
b.1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Jenny Scheinman. While Miller leads this session, there is plenty room for pianist

Myra Melford

piano
b.1957

" data-original-title="" title="">Myra Melford, who composed two tracks heard here and Miller's musical soulmate, bassist

Victor Wooten

bass
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Victor Wooten.

Half of the pieces here are composed by Miller, starting with the opener "Cheyenne." This track begins with Miller delivering a thunderously muscular

Tony Williams

drums
1945 - 1997

" data-original-title="" title="">Tony Williams-inspired solo before Melford delivers a bell-ringing volley of sound. The trio delivers invigoratingly crisp music throughout. Whether they are dropping the funky pulse of "Big Lovely" or shy swing exhibited on

Hoagy Carmichael

piano
1899 - 1981

" data-original-title="" title="">Hoagy Carmichael's "Rockin' Chair," the trio glides with a sense of exuberance that is rare in the "professionalism" of music today. Other covers include

Mary Lou Williams

piano
1910 - 1981

" data-original-title="" title="">Mary Lou Williams' slick-groove "Intermission," and the set features two tracks by Melford, the angular and disciplined "Be Melting Snow" and the reflective "Night." Jenny Scheinman joins the trio for "CFS," a piece of Americana folk/jazz that leaps off the disc with dance in mind.

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Track Listing

Cheyenne; Fead; Intermission Rockin' Chair; Be Melting Snow; CFS (Candy Flavored Sidewalks); Big Lovely; Night.

Personnel

Allison Miller

drums

Myra Melford: piano; Todd Sickafoose: bass; Allison Miller: drums; Jenny Scheinman: violin (7).

Album information

Title: Boom Tic Boom | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Foxhaven Records

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Allison Miller Concerts

Sep 21 Sun

Allison Miller Trio Ft. Caroline Davis & Rashaan...

Rizzoli Bookstore
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Oct 16 Thu

Allison Miller's Boom Tic Boom

Vanderhoef Studio Theatre, Mondavi Center
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Oct 17 Fri

Allison Miller's Boom Tic Boom

Vanderhoef Studio Theatre, Mondavi Center
Davis, CA

Oct 18 Sat

Allison Miller's Boom Tic Boom

Vanderhoef Studio Theatre, Mondavi Center
Davis, CA

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