Dr. Lloyd performing in Tehran

Dr. Miller also known to many Persians as Koroush Ali Khan is one of the first jazz innovators who was interested in Eastern music since the 50’s but did not gain fame because he left the scene in 1959 to travel through the orient and to live in Tehran. Before going on to Europe, Dr. Miller was working on Eastern music and finding ways to bring metaphysical and highly developed Eastern concepts into modal jazz.

While in Europe Miller played with top jazz artists like Don Ellis (where he was inspired by Miller’s Eastern concepts) and Eddie Harris including occasional appearances at the famous Blue Note in Paris where he sat in for Bud Powel to play with Kenny Clark. During his residence in Europe, Miller was prominent in the Stockholm. Frankfurt, Brussels and Paris jazz scenes and played at two major jazz festivals in Belgium.

Miller’s LP album Oriental Jazz released in the late 60’s and the three consecutive years he won composer and other trophies at Intercollegiate Jazz Festivals indicate that he was one of first to bring Eastern music ideas to Jazz.

Dr. Miller has always endeavored to retain the highest musical standards of both systems and has refrained from sacrificing either or producing a commercialized blend.

Dr. Miller has spent 8 years in Iran where he recieved his PhD in Persian music which resulted in his work Music and Song in Persia being published by Curzon Press in London in 1999, he also studied with master Daryush Safvat and Karimi and also hosted his own prime-time NIRTV main network jazz show while in Tehran.

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