Michael Miles, a musician known for his passion and creativity, has embarked on a new musical project that combines the talents of himself and cellist Jill Kaeding. Their latest album, Great American Jukebox, features 11 songs reimagined for guitar and cello. The album includes familiar tunes like Stevie Wonder’s “As,” three Lennon-McCartney songs, Elton John’s “Madman Across the Water,” and Stephen Sondheim’s “Send in the Clowns.”
Miles and Kaeding are taking their music to the stage with a series of concerts. On June 13, they performed at the Old Town School of Folk Music, where Miles was recognized as musician and educator of the year in 2019. Fans can also explore more than 50 arrangements of their songs on a new website and YouTube channel.
Miles has a master’s degree in guitar performance from Northeastern University and is known for his skills on both the banjo and guitar. He has been described as an ambitious artist by former Tribune critic Howard Reich, who admired his bold approach to music creation.
The album aims to enrich listeners with familiar melodies presented in new musical contexts. For Miles, arranging music is akin to solving riddles, allowing him to delve deeper into the emotional essence of each song. He believes in sharing his musical creations deeply, resonating with William Blake’s philosophy: “Mine is to create, not to compare.”
Miles reflects on the rich history of jukebox manufacturing in Chicago, with companies like Seeburg, Wurlitzer, Rock-Ola, and AMI once dominating the market. Today, only Rock-Ola remains, having moved to Southern California in 1992.
His sincere hope is that listeners will engage with Great American Jukebox multiple times, finding new layers of enjoyment with each listen. The album showcases the interplay of guitar and cello in a chamber-like setting, offering a fresh take on beloved classics.
“Composers are like painters, using notes to color chords, like an artist’s palette. In exploring these songs, I am solving the riddle and understanding the songs more deeply.” – Michael Miles
For those interested in experiencing Miles’ creativity firsthand, the album release concert was held at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago.
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