Butch Miles

Butch Miles
Birth name Charles J. Thorton, Jr.
Born July 4, 1944 (1944-07-04) (age 67)
Genres Jazz
Occupations Drummer
Instruments Drum set
Years active Late 1960s—present
Associated acts Count Basie Orchestra
Website www.butchmiles.com

Butch Miles (born Charles J. Thorton, Jr. on July 4, 1944 in Ironton, Ohio[1]) is an American jazz drummer. He has played with the Count Basie Orchestra, Dave Brubeck, Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis Jr., and Frank Sinatra, among others.[2]

Miles, who cites Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, and Jo Jones as favorite drummers[1], began playing snare drum at the age of 9 and majored in music at West Virginia State University 1962–1966. After receiving his degree, he went on tour with the Iris Bell Trio.[1] Miles was with the Count Basie Orchestra from 1975–1979 and returned for ten years from 1997–2007, and leader of the group Jazz Express in the 1980s and '90s.[3] He has also performed at the Newport and Montreux Jazz Festivals.[2]

Butch Miles is a member of the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame 2011 class of inductees. He is currently a professor in the School of Music at Texas State University-San Marcos.

Selected discography

References

  1. ^ a b c Feather, Leonard; Gitler, Ira; assistance from Swing Journal (2007) [1999]. The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz. New York City, New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 463. ISBN 978-0-19-532000-8. 
  2. ^ a b "Butch Miles - Jazz Drums". http://www.txstate.edu/jazzstudies/faculty/miles.html. Retrieved 2008-01-19. 
  3. ^ Cook, Richard (2005). Richard Cook's Jazz Encyclopedia. New York City, New York: Penguin Books. pp. 426. ISBN 0-141-02646-4. 
  4. ^ "Straight on Till Morning". Amazon.com. 2008. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000CEOZI. Retrieved 2008-01-19. 
  5. ^ "Cookin'". Amazon.com. 2008. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000009E0A. Retrieved 2008-01-19. 
  6. ^ "Butch Miles". Discogs. 2008. http://www.discogs.com/artist/Butch+Miles. Retrieved 2008-01-19. 

External links