Michael Miller

I played with Mike in the New Orleans Jazz Machine. It was my first real experience playing traditional jazz. I am grateful for his advice and encouragement in helping me to play in the style. I am a drummer and Mike's sense of time was rock-solid, so my job was pretty easy - listen to the banjo. My condolences to his family.

I met Mike (known as "Vermont" to those of us in the dormitory) when I arrived at the University of Illinois in 1972. I was a nervous freshman but was warmly welcomed by a small group of students who had already been there at least a year: Rick, Mark, Ray, Jim, Vermont and others like Carlos, Pat, Dan, Bruce. Vermont was the oldest member of that immediate group and seemed a little like the quiet but reluctant "non leader" leader. He was a music major who played guitar and other instruments...