Dan Miller, Fort Myers jazz trumpet star and educator, dies at 53

Dan Miller, Fort Myers virtuoso known for his clarion trumpet and passion for jazz, died unexpectedly Friday, Aug. 19. He was 54.

Miller played trumpet with stars like Harry Connick Jr., Wynton Marsalis and Maynard Ferguson. But he loved educating youngsters; Miller helped organize the Naples Youth Jazz Orchestra and taught improvisation classes in the Jazz Studio of the University of Centeral Florida's School of Performing Arts.

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"Dan was an incredible educator. The kids loved him," said pianist Jerry Stawski, who played with Miller often over nearly 14 years in venues from The Barrel Room in Fort Myers to the "All That Jazz!" series at Artis—Naples. The jazz afternoon at Unity of Bonita Springs for local stars known as "The Magnificent Seven" was an annual event for both of them before the pandemic.

"He was a walking encyclopedia of jazz. You could play any record from any era and he could tell you the tune, what musicians were playing on it, even what arrangement they were using."

The Chicago-born Milller migrated to New York City to play jazz. He performed in bands on TV such as the "Tonight" Show under both Johnny Carson and Jay Leno and for single events such as "NBC Christmas at Rockefeller Center" and Super Bowl XXVI. Among his credits were stints with Maynard Ferguson in jazz festivals throughout Europe. Miller and his trumpet are on Harry Connick Jr.'s Christmas recordings and Wynton Marsalis' four-volume set, "Marsalis on Music. "

Dan behind Harry: A clip of Miller with Connick is at minute 2:51

When he relocated to Fort Myers he was still in demand to play behind music stars on tour, and performed in jazz groups in jazz-friendly places like The Roadhouse on Fort Myers Beach.

"He was a great leader and a great master of ceremonies," Stawski said, recalling Miller's enthusiasm onstage for his fellow musicians as well as his own time in the spotlight. When Miller was in the quartet, it was standard to see him snapping his fingers and belting out a "Yeah!" to his friends' solo licks.

"This is a huge void," Stawski said. "Dan did so much."

"I'm getting calls from musicians all over the country. I'm getting texts from his students," said saxophonist Lew Del Gatto, another longtime bandmate, who performed with Miller all over Florida. "He was a wonderful musician and performer, but the thing that impressed me most was the way he worked with kids."

Miller had a way of transforming students who grew up without the benefit of big-band orchestras on TV into polished jazz musicians, Del Gatto said: "They would all come out playing in concert."

Hear them: Dan Miller, Naples Phil Youth Jazz Orchestra, at minute 9:52

Miller was founder and director of the Naples Philharmonic Youth Jazz Orchestra and a member of the Naples Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra. David Filner, Executive Vice President, Artistic Operations for Artis—Naples, released the following statement :

"Dan Miller was an amazing musician, dedicated educator and a remarkably kind and thoughtful human being. His impact on the jazz scene in our community and throughout the world cannot be overstated.

"Whether it was performing with the Naples Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra or coaching talented students in the Naples Philharmonic Youth Jazz Orchestra, which he founded, Dan brought an infectious joy and passion for the uniquely American art form of jazz. Dan will be sorely missed, but the love of jazz that he instilled in countless students and audiences over the years is a testament to the lasting influence of his life and career."

The cause of death and funeral arrangements have not been announced.

Harriet Howard Heithaus covers arts and entertainment for the Naples Daily News/naplesnews.com. Reach her at 239-213-6091.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Jazz trumpeter Dan Miller, TV and concert virtuoso, dead at 53