"This is feel-good party jazz, harking back to the '20s and '30s. It's brassy, stomp your

feet and dance music, and it's got the raw uplifting vibe of a New Orleans street parade"

- The SF Weekly

(Los Angeles) - Sammy Miller and the Congregation bring their rousing original theater show Great Awakening to The Odyssey Theatre for five nights, Mar. 18 - 19 and Mar. 24 - 26, 2017. Grammy-winning drummer Sammy Miller has conceived a show that puts the generosity back into jazz and brings the joy of the art form back to the people. This is joyful jazz music that feels good and uplifts! This immersive production is a foot-tapping, hand-clapping good time that celebrates the liveliness and excitement of the jazz age. This theatrical and musical journey follows a jazz band banished from jazz, as they try to rebrand themselves as a theatre troupe with the hopes of making an award-winning play. Here’s a sneak peek .

Sammy Miller and the Congregation are on tour in support of their eponymous full-length debut,

set for release on Feb. 26, 2017. Listen here . The Congregation includes Sammy Miller, drums; Sam Crittenden, trombone; Ben Flocks, Tenor Sax; Alphonso Horne, Trumpet; David Linard, Piano; and John Snow, bass.

Sammy Miller and the Congregation’s mission to spread joy through music reaches beyond traditional concert audiences and into classrooms and local communities throughout the world. Equal to their passion for performance is their passion to educate. Inspired by the teachers, musicians, and artists that have influenced and supported the group in their musical journey, Sammy Miller and the Congregation travel all over the world, engaging students of all ages through their mission to uplift and inspire. The curriculum, developed by Sammy, teaches kids about music they’ve most likely never heard before, keeping the tradition alive by passing down the joy and history of jazz through the lens of important artists such as Louis Armstrong, Bessie Smith, Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman.

During their time in Los Angeles, Sammy Miller and the Congregation will visit two schools University High, and Sammy’s alma mater, Peninsula High School. On Mon. Mar. 20, at University High, the group will create a brand new recording with music tech students and perform an interactive concert for the entire student body to introduce and excite students about jazz. Students will be asked to join the Congregation to act the part of a young Duke Ellington falling in love with a girl; an unknown Ella Fitzgerald going on stage at the Apollo; and Louis Armstrong misbehavin’ as a youngster on the streets of New Orleans.

On Tues., Mar. 21, at Peninsula High School Sammy Miller and the Congregation will give a masterclass and perform original big band charts with the high school’s big band, to give them the opportunity to perform alongside experienced musicians. This is part of the school’s fundraiser for its art programs.

For more information about the group’s education efforts, please visit

http://www.sammymillercongregation.com/education .

Sammy also co-hosts with Alex Ariff the podcast Rent Party, developed to share the pair’s curiosity and love of American music. Their debut episode explores Louis Armstrong and his love for opera.

Sammy Miller and The Congregation are on a mission to put the generosity back into jazz and bring art back to the people. They play joyful jazz—music that feels good. It is a style that entertains, enriches, but most of all uplifts. A native of Los Angeles, Grammy nominated drummer Sammy Miller has become known for his unique maturity and relentless focus on making music that “feels good” as a drummer, singer and bandleader. Upon completing his Master’s at The Juilliard School, Sammy formed his ensemble, The Congregation. As a band they are focused on sharing the power of community through their music—joyful jazz. While independently the band members have performed/recorded with notable artist including Wynton Marsalis, Jason Mraz, and Iron and Wine at venues including The White House, Lincoln Center,

and the Hollywood Bowl, The Congregation has opted to stick together and create globally conscious music with the intention to spread joy throughout the world.

For more information, please visit http://www.sammymillercongregation.com/ .

PR contact :

Lisa Bellamore

Crescent Communications

lbellamore@gmail.com

323-500-3071