The Genius of Barry Miles
Before the term “jazz-fusion” was even invented, pianist-composer-producer-author Barry Miles, 77, born in Newark and raised in North Plainfield, used the word “syncretic” to describe how the various elements of his sound coalesced into a cohesive whole. Look up syncretic and it says, “to describe things influenced by two or more styles or traditions to create something different.” Basically, the man INVENTED jazz-rock fusion.
He started performing in 1956 as a child prodigy, appearing on TV with John Coltrane, Andy Williams and comedian Dick Van Dyke. He debuted with Miles Of Genius in 1961. In 1966, while attending Princeton University, his album—Barry Miles Presents His New Syncretic Compositions—came out to brand him as a pioneer of this new sound, years before Miles Davis, Weather Report and the half-Jersey Return To Forever popularized commercial fusion. In 1971, his White Heat fused elements never heard before within jazz. RTF’s Al Di Meola made damn sure to have him on six of his solo albums, as well as in his band, The Al Di Meola Project.
He was the late Robert Flack’s Musical Director from ’80 to ’84. He also composed and arranged soundtrack music for Richard Pryor’s 1981 Bustin’ Loose film. In 1991, Barry collaborated with Di Meola on the guitarist’s Kiss My Ax album, producing, writing and arranging. The rest of that decade saw Barry composing music for several hundred Hollywood trailers plus international television and radio commercials. The last of his 12 albums came out in 2013 (Home And Away). He can also be heard on 25 albums by such artists as Patti Austin, Gladys Knight & The Pips, “Little Esther” Philips, Mongo Santamaria, Mel Torme and many others. More recently, he helped put together Sing You A Brand New Song, by Coleman Mellett, as reported upon in the news section here last month. For a sample of what he pioneered, check the video blow. That’s him on electric piano.
(Advertisement)