Jazz Icon Marcus Miller 5oth Birthday Bash at Catalina's

Jazz bass great, Marcus Miller, celebrated his 50th birthday with friends and family Monday night at the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood. It was standing room only for the first set as friends and fans were treated to an exciting blend of unrehearsed jazz, classical, and rock tunes. The set included songs from Miles Davis, Beethoven, and a jazz version of Edgar Winter's Frankenstein that had the audience rocking to the beat. Kenn Hicks, opera singer and vocal coach to the stars performed a song and received a standing ovation for his efforts. Band members included;

Marcus Miller - Electric Bass and Bass Clarinet Michael "Patches" Stewart - Trumpet Keith Anderson - Alto Sax Dean Brown - Guitar Bobby Sparks - Keys Poogie Bell - Drums When Miller walked on stage he was met with a standing ovation and cheers from the audience.

"Since this is my birthday I get to play what ever I want," said Miller jokingly as he strapped on his signature Fender bass guitar.

Miller dedicated Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" to his father, with George Duke sitting in on keyboards. The room was cleared for the second set which was an invite-only private party. Keb Mo, Stanley Clarke, George Duke, Herbie Hancock, Leon Ware, Malcolm Jamal Warner, Brian McKnight, and Dennis Haysbert were in the house. Miller paid tribute to the memory of his close friend and fellow musician, Wayman Tisdale. Tisdale's family were in the audience as Miller dedicated, "When I Fall In Love" with Miller on bass clarinet, to Wayman and his family. George Duke came on stage followed by Herbie Hancock. Miller invited his musician friends to come on stage and jam with the band. He let the audience know that "this is not an invitation for any of you out there who ever wanted to be on stage with us."

"If you come on stage, you better be able to play!" said Miller as he had fun with the audience.

The play list for the party included; Higher Ground (Stevie Wonder), Panther, Moonlight Sonata, Happy Birthday (with Herbie Hancock on keys), Cantaloupe Island (Herbie Hancock on keys and Johnny Britt on muted trumpet), When I Fall In Love, Killing Me Softly (Lalah Hathaway on vocals), Come Together (Sekou Bunch on bass and Michael White on drums).