Ray Miller was a popular bandleader of the 1920s who performed and recorded with various top-notch musicians under such names as Ray Miller and His Orchestra, Ray Miller’s Orchestra and Ray Miller and His Brunswick Orchestra.

Starting off as a singing waiter in 1916 in Chicago, he made his way to New York where he started his first band, The Black and White Melody Boys, playing mostly Dixieland jazz. They recorded tracks on various labels from 1920 to 1923. Miller augmented his band, the style changed to contemporary jazz and by 1924, Miller and his group were recording.

The band’s recording career spanned the years 1924-1925 and featured such musicians as Miller on drums, Frank Trumbauer on sax, Miff Mole on trombone and pianist Rube Bloom.

The group’s choice cuts can be found on the release Ray Miller and his Brunswick Orchestra 1924-1929 on Timeless Records.


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