Who is musa canta music?
Duncan McMillan
Duncan McMillan began studying piano at age 5. His musical studies continued with Frederic Dehaven at Christ Church in Grosse Pointe, singing in the boys choir (1980-1987). From 1989-1992, Duncan studied jazz piano and music theory with James Hohmeyer, Bess Bonnier and Matt Michaels. Upon graduation from Western Michigan University in 1997 (B.M. piano/jazz studies), Duncan established a reputation as a versatile musician, working with such diverse artists as Jon Hendricks, Aretha Franklin, Rodney Whitaker, Ira Sullivan, Marcus Belgrave and The Four Freshman. In demand as both a pianist and organist, his resume includes performances with The Paul Keller Orchestra, Johnnie Bassett and The Blues Insurgents, Odessa Harris, The Pete Siers Quartet, Wes Anderson Quartet and The Randy Napoleon Sextet. Recent performances include concerts at The Elkhart Jazz Festival, Art Tatum Jazz/Heritage Festival, Detroit International Jazz Festival, and The 8th annual Motor City Blues and Boogie Woogie Festival. In addition, Duncan is a respected musical director/arranger for regional theaters, church organizations and local bands. His arrangements have been performed by The Detroit Symphony Orchestra, University of Michigan (Flint) Jazz Ensemble, Midland-Odessa Symphony Orchestra, Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Jazz Orchestra, Flint Symphony Orchestra, and the Planet D. Nonet.
Selected Discography: “At Sundown” - The Paul Keller Quartet (2012) “Your Soul” - The Ben Jansson Trio (2012) “The Jukebox Crowd” - Randy Napoleon Sextet (2012) "Organic Roots" - The Pete Siers Quartet (2009) "The Gentleman is back" - Johnnie Bassett & The Blues Insurgents (2009) "A week in the life of The Firefly Club" - Paul Keller Orchestra (2008) "The Easy Life" - The Odessa Harris Group (2003) 
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Joshua James
Joshua James began studying music at an early age. Starting first with piano, he eventually moved on to clarinet, saxophone, and bassoon, studying with the likes of Paul Ganson of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Greg Koltyk, Andrew Bishop, and Russ Miller. In addition to pursuing a B.A. in Music Performance/Philosophy from Albion College, he worked towards graduate studies in Music Education and Jazz Performance from Wayne State University, and a M.M. in Music Education from Oakland University, parlaying his education into successful careers in performance, composing, arranging, and music education. While serving on the music faculties of both Madonna University and St. Mary's Preparatory, Joshua has written music across all genres for middle school, high school, collegiate, and professional ensembles alike. Past performances include: The Detroit Jazz Festival, The Flint Jazz Festival, The Lansing Jazz Festival, The Detroit Institute of Arts Museum, The Magic Bag (opening for Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings), The Lowcountry Blues Bash (Charelston, SC), and Snug Harbor (New Orleans, LA). In addition to being the current Music Director for the Planet D. Nonet-- a nine-piece "little big-band" based in Detroit--Joshua also fronts the Nighthawks Jazz Orchestra, the Bridge Project Big band, and works as a sideman in the Tracy Kash-Thomas Quintet.
Current Projects Include: Theatre Bizarre Orchestra - music director, saxes/clars. Nighthawks Jazz Orchestra - band leader, saxes/clars. FutureVisions Quintet - sideman, saxes Tracy Kash Thomas Quintet - sideman, saxes/clars. Selected Discography: "Carpe Noctem" - David J. & the Theatre Bizarre Orchestra (2016) "Live at the Scarab Club" - PD9 Township Jazz Project (2015) "Just A Sittin' And A Rockin'" - Planet D. Nonet (2014) "Swingin' the D." - Planet D. Nonet (2013) "Old School" - Planet D. Nonet (2012) "We Travel the Spaceways: the Music of Sun Ra" - Planet D. Nonet (2010) "You Know I Can't Refuse: the Bill Heid Sessions" - RJ Spangler's Blue Four (2009) "Reminiscence" - Michael Zaporski and FutureVisions (2006) "The Prophet: A Spiritual in Jazz" - Michael Zaporski (2006) "Insight" - Michael Zaporski and FutureVisions (2003) |