A Night in Monte Carlo

Marcus Miller | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 1, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Concord Records
• ASIN: B004DURSBC
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #38,434 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Bassist, producer, composer, and all-around musician Marcus Miller has been a student and a leader, a creator and an interpreter, a master and a mentor in the art form of music - from his teen years to the present - with many more miles to go before he sleeps...a profound past paving the way to an as yet unfathomable future. Marcus continues this legacy with A Night in Monte-Carlo, a live audio document of an amazing concert he was commissioned to perform on November 29, 2008 in the "rich man's playground" of Monaco - a performance of music of his choice, much of it from his pen, featuring his arrangements for symphony orchestra. It features Marcus leading both his quartet and the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, with special guests: trumpeter Roy Hargrove as well as singer, songwriter and guitarist Raul Midón. "I was invited by Jean-René Palacio, the Artistic Director for the principality of Monaco to present some of my music with the orchestra on the French Riviera," Marcus recalls. No stranger to the area, as he has performed there many times AND played there on his downtime as a race car buff during the Grand Prix, Marcus relished the opportunity of sharing his music in the breathtaking and intimate 600-seat Monte-Carlo Opera House.

"The ceiling and every wall beneath is adorned with the most unbelievable murals," Marcus marvels. "The setting was gorgeous." More amazing were the fabulous musicians of the symphony. "The Monte-Carlo Orchestra was very hip. They were enthusiastic about my music and understood right away the sound I was trying to get," Marcus enthuses. "After the first day of rehearsal, they all lined up to shake my hand! That put me totally at ease and made this the most satisfying experience I've ever had with a symphony. My band and the orchestra became good friends over those three days of rehearsal."

The repertoire for A Night in Monte-Carlo covers nearly a century of music - from two styles of opera to jazz, including a contemporized, spiritual and a timeless ballad. The program opened with a BANG with "Blast!" the GRAMMY-nominated Middle Eastern-tinged instrumental of futuristic world fusion funk that has been begging for a symphonic treatment since it was birthed on his ninth album, Marcus (2008). Not knowing what to expect, the audience was taken by surprise when the huge sounds of the orchestra and quartet filled the Opera House with this musical Molotov cocktail.

Since this recording was made in 2008, Marcus has presented A Night In Monte-Carlo with the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic featuring Lalah Hathaway and Raul Midón for the 50th Anniversary of Jazz a Juan in the summer of 2010, and more recently at the Tokyo Jazz Festival with the NHK Symphony Orchestra featuring Roberta Flack and young trumpeter, Christian Scott. He has tailored each program to include his special guests and plans to continue to do so with various artists for upcoming shows.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best CD i had for a long time., May 19, 2010

By 

Napoleon Solo (Ipanema, San Francisco) - See all my reviews

picked this CD up in a music shop in Ginza area. this was issued by Victor of Japan.

this is one of Miller's best. the music is rich, with diversity and depth.

from Miller's own Blast! to brasilian samba, from Miles to Jimmy Dorsey all interpreted with great intelligence.

the orchestral backing by Philharmonic Monte Carlo adds dimension and richness of the overall presentation.

i don't buy many CDs especially given today's economy.

however, after listened to the entire CD at the shop twice,

i decided to make some sacrifice and put down my hard earned $30.

thanks to Victor which always delivers high quality jazz.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Star People, February 10, 2011

By 

Bicycle Day - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: A Night in Monte Carlo (Audio CD)

The artistic genius of Marcus Miller sweeps through the nine tracks from the Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival on November 29, 2008, which features his quartet and the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, along with special guests Roy Hargrove (trumpet) and Raul Midón (vocals, guitar).

The opening gems - "Blast!," "So What," "State of Mind," "I Loves You Porgy," "Amandla" - deliver the elements of funk, hip-hop and pop, with a strong vibe from Miles Davis lighting the stage. The closing superfecta of "I'm Glad There is You," "Medley: O Mio Babbino Caro/Mas Que Nada," "Your Amazing Grace" and "Strange Fruit" are built on orchestral textures that are enhanced by the sharp, studio-like mix and production.

For nearly 40 years, Miller has been refining his work as a composer, arranger, producer and musician. This special performance brings renewed focus and appreciation to his amazing career.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Marcus rocks in Europe!, September 26, 2011

By 

F. noyes "f noyes bookworm" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Night in Monte Carlo (Audio CD)

I'm a big Marcus fan, see him live whenever he's nearby. This one was quite interesting with the symphony accompaniment. I prefer Marcus my man a bit grittier buy, hey, a bit of innovation goes a long way.

Buy it, you'll like it!!