437 - Allison Miller: DC Roots, Connecting Her Drumming to Dance, Playing with Dr. Lonnie Smith, Her New Album

Working Drummer

Allison Miller is a New York-based drummer, bandleader, educator, and producer. She studied with Michael Carvin and Lenny White and went on to play with Dr. Lonnie Smith, Ani DiFanco, Brandi Carlisle, and many others. She's active as an educator in many capacities including at The New School in New York, and her new album, Rivers In Our Veins is out now.

In this episode, Allison talks about:

• Getting started with big bands in DC, and studying classical percussion in college
• The role that traditional bepop vocabulary plays in developing a modern jazz drumming voice
• The importance of experiencing jazz in a live setting
• Her new record and raising awareness about the role and health of America's rivers
• How her jazz credentials and experience led to pop opportunities
• Playing with Dr. Lonnie Smith