International Musician story

 July, 2023

AMERICAN BACH REVISITED 

featuring Michael J. Miles with Jill Kaeding

For many years the versatile clawhammer banjoist Michal J. Miles of Local 1000 (Nongeographic) has been breaking new ground outside the repertoire, crisscrossing an array of musical genres, from Bach to jazz great Dave Brubeck. His latest CD, American Bach Revisited is his newest take on J.S. Bach’s “Cello Suites No. 1 and No. 3,” which Miles first recorded in 1997 with bassist Al Ehrich. 

He was lauded for having “dared to take on some of the most profound and dramatic music ever written, and succeeded,” according to Howard Reich of the Chicago

Tribune. Likewise, the celebrated cellist Janos Starker added “[It was] a remarkable feat. My first reaction to his playing was a smile, and then amazement.”      

This CD delivers a new duet format featuring cellist Jill Kaeding of Local 10-208 (Chicago, IL). Margaret James of Local 10-208 wrote the contrapuntal basslines for the Bach melodies. Ron DeGrandis, who arranged “Chicago Suite” (Miles’ own composition), is a longtime member of Local 45 (Allentown, PA). Miles wrote the five-movement composition—an homage to Chicago—about the streets and alleys of the city he has always called home.

Miles first joined the AFM in 1977 and for the past 25 years, he has been a member Local 1000. On his collaboration with other AFM musicians, he says, “It’s a good example of a reason to stick with the union.” 

He is past president of the International Folk Alliance and former Program Director for the Old Town School of Folk Music. His acclaimed one-man show, “From Senegal To Seeger,” has played on four continents.  More at MilesMusic.org   (Theresa Litz, AFM)