Bill Miller (pianist)
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Bill Miller (February 3, 1915, Brooklyn - July 11, 2006, Montreal) was an American jazz pianist, who accompanied Frank Sinatra over fifty years, and for the last eight years of his life, accompanied Frank Sinatra, Jr..
Performing with Red Norvo, Mildred Bailey and Charlie Barnet in the 1930s, Miller also performed with Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman.[1].
First meeting Sinatra in 1941, they didn't work together until November 1951, when Miller was performing in the lounge of the Desert Inn, in Las Vegas. Sinatra was having difficulty holding on to pianists, and it was Jimmy Van Heusen who recommended Miller to Sinatra. [2]
Miller's house was destroyed in a 1964 mudslide in Burbank, California, which also claimed the life of his wife, Aimee. He was abruptly dismissed for no apparent reason by Sinatra in 1978, but was invited back in 1985.[3]
Sinatra died in 1998, and Miller performed "One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)" at his funeral. He retired for three years, and then came out of retirement to work for Sinatra's son, Frank Sinatra, Jr..[4]
Bill Miller also played on the recreation of Silent Night, rerecorded after Sinatra's death with a full orchestra.
Miller died as he lived; on the road, touring with Frank Sinatra Jr.
[edit] Selected discography
- Songs for Young Lovers (1954)
- In the Wee Small Hours (1954)
- Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely (1958)
- Sinatra & Sextet: Live in Paris (1962)
- Cycles (1968)
- The Main Event – Live (1974)
- Swing When You're Winning (2004)
- Sinatra: Vegas (2006)
[edit] References
- ^ Pianist Bill Miller, 91; Framed Sinatra's Songs With Elegance - washingtonpost.com
- ^ Ingham, Chris, The Rough Guide to Frank Sinatra, Rough Guides, 2005
- ^ Pianist Bill Miller, 91; Framed Sinatra's Songs With Elegance - washingtonpost.com
- ^ Jazz News: Sinatra pianist Bill Miller dies at 91
