MILLER’S GROOVE (10/21/19) — Robert Miller and his Project Grand Slam, through the course of seven albums, have made some outstanding music; including their #1 album last year, Trippin’. We caught them Friday night and just loved the show; relaxing and terrifically enjoyable. Miller had told his PR-man David Salidor, that they’d be playing some new music for a forthcoming album for 2020, so I was ready for the new material.
After a rousing beginning with the track “Redemption Road” (off their current PGS 7 album), they debuted their new material, “It Is A Miracle To Me,” and “Constable on Patrol.” The packed Groove-nightspot loved it. I found myself sitting next to a couple who had never heard them before and by-mid set they were fans for life.
I’ve been fortunate to have seen them numerous times and this was their best performance by far. The interplay between the musicians has never been better and for me, the jazz-rock-fusion aspect is intoxicating. Marilyn Castillo, their vocalist, was just on fire.
The last portion of their set rocked with PGS-signatures: “No No No,” “The Queen’s Carnival” and they closed the set with their revamp of Jimi Hendrix’s “Fire.”
Miller and his PGS-outfit are ideal for bigger venues; they’re right on the cutting edge of the new burgeoning jazz-fusion genre. They deserve to be seen.