On August 19, 2022, The trumpet world lost a shining star with the passing of Dan Miller.  

Everything about Dan was larger than life. He was a big guy with a big smile and a huge heart.  

Dan had an encyclopedic knowledge of jazz trumpet that he was always willing to share with anyone who asked.  

As a player, Dan had a massive sound that could fill up a room. Every note Dan played oozed with his passion for life and music.   

But perhaps one of his greatest attributes was his skill as a teacher and mentor to young players.  

And so I felt it was only fitting to do this tribute to a man who brightened the lives of so many trumpet players, both directly and indirectly.  

In this special episode, I talk with three Trumpet Gurus who came into Dan’s life during different chapters. We start with Brad Goode, who was an early teacher of Dan’s and who helped fan the flame of Dan’s passion for jazz history. Next, I talk with Kenny Rampton, who spent years playing with Dan in New York and who became like a second brother. Then I talk with Dan’s young protege, Nathaniel Wiliford, about Dan’s teaching and mentoring. And finally, I am joined by Dan’s brother Dave Miller who puts Dan’s entire life into perspective.  

So please join us in this celebration of the life and contributions of Dan Miller. 

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To learn more about Dan and for updates on the Dan Miller Jazz Master Memorial Scholarship Fund, visit https://www.danmillerjazz.com/

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00:00:00 Intro 

00:01:28 Brad Goode on meeting Dan 

00:09:20 Honoring the lineage 

00:14:06 Dan as a player 

00:17:04 Dan's influence on him 

00:18:38 Dan's legacy 

00:21:24 Final thoughts 

00:23:20 Kenny Rampton 

00:23:50 Working with Dan 

00:25:45 Dan's encyclopedic knowledge 

00:28:14 Dan's heart 

00:34:22 Dan's impact on his life 

00:37:15 How Dan helped him find the perfect plunger 

00:39:31 Dan as a lead trumpet player 

00:40:53 Living life on his own terms 

00:42:14 Dan's legacy 

00:42:36 Dan and his family 

00:46:13 How we can honor Dan's legacy 

00:52:58 Dan and his cup mute 

00:57:22 Nathaniel Wiliford 

00:58:03 The start of their relationship 

01:04:33 Dan as a teacher 

01:07:25 What's been hardest for him 

01:10:35 The last time he spoke with Dan 

01:11:17 Dan's concern for others 

01:16:03 The best word to describe Dan 

01:21:54 Being grateful for their relationship 

01:26:39 Dan's legacy 

01:30:17 Passing on Dan's legacy 

01:38:20 Dave Miller 

01:39:12 Growing up in a musical household 

01:42:28 Dan's major inspirations 

01:43:57 Moving to New York 

01:45:57 Their relationship 01:49:09 Dan's impact on others 01:50:51 Their shared drive for deep knowledge 01:52:31 Their shared passion for education 01:56:07 The legacy of Dan Miller 01:58:47 How we can best honor Dan 02:00:23 How he wants others to remember Dan