Jazz drummer Butch Miles, who grew up in Charleston, died Feb. 2. Miles, 78, was inducted to the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame in 2011.
He was 78.
Born in Ironton, Ohio, in 1944, Miles spent his early years in Summers County before his family moved to Charleston, where he grew up.
He picked up the drums by the age 9.
In high school, Miles played in area bands and studied under local veteran drummer Frank Thompson. Later, he majored in music at West Virginia State University and then joined the Iris Bell Trio.
Performing with the trio led to a stint with singer Mel Torme and then a term with The Count Basie Orchestra followed by jobs with Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra and many more.
Over his long career, Miles played on more than 100 albums, three of which earned Grammy Awards. He was also honored by the state Senates of Texas and West Virginia for his many accomplishments.
The drummer finished his regular career with The Count Basie Orchestra, retiring from that band in 2007, when he began teaching at Texas State University in San Marcos.
In 2011, Miles was inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame.
“Mountain Stage” pianist Bob Thompson knew Miles from when they were both students at WVSU.
“Butch Miles was a man who realized his life dream and then some,” Thompson said. “His goal was to play drums with the Count Basie Band.
He worked hard and, when the opportunity presented itself, he was ready.
Butch and I had a long friendship, and when we entered Jr. High our mothers decided we must take ballroom dance lessons. Every Saturday morning we were driven to lessons, determined we only wanted to learn American Bandstand "fast dance"! Our dance teacher finally told our moms she could not continue our lessons because we would not follow her directions....we won that battle! I'm so happy we stayed in touch all the way up to his death....RIP my friend!
William Melton
I went to school with Butch at Charleston High. He was a fantastic drummer and had the best personality.
Sad to hear this news>
RIP Butch!
Thomas Russell Ward (Ward)
Butch made it to the top of his field as a musician. And he was equally as great a person as he was a drummer.
Robert Amos Woolfitt
From the Charleston Gazette:
Jazz drummer Butch Miles, who grew up in Charleston, died Feb. 2. Miles, 78, was inducted to the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame in 2011.
He was 78.
Born in Ironton, Ohio, in 1944, Miles spent his early years in Summers County before his family moved to Charleston, where he grew up.
He picked up the drums by the age 9.
In high school, Miles played in area bands and studied under local veteran drummer Frank Thompson. Later, he majored in music at West Virginia State University and then joined the Iris Bell Trio.
Performing with the trio led to a stint with singer Mel Torme and then a term with The Count Basie Orchestra followed by jobs with Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra and many more.
Over his long career, Miles played on more than 100 albums, three of which earned Grammy Awards. He was also honored by the state Senates of Texas and West Virginia for his many accomplishments.
The drummer finished his regular career with The Count Basie Orchestra, retiring from that band in 2007, when he began teaching at Texas State University in San Marcos.
In 2011, Miles was inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame.
“Mountain Stage” pianist Bob Thompson knew Miles from when they were both students at WVSU.
“Butch Miles was a man who realized his life dream and then some,” Thompson said. “His goal was to play drums with the Count Basie Band.
He worked hard and, when the opportunity presented itself, he was ready.
“And as they say, the rest is history.”
By Bill Lynch lynch@hdmediallc.com
Judith (Judy) Jefferson (Talbott)
https://republicmonews.com/2023/02/04/the-78-year-old-jazz-drummer-butch-miles-has-passed-away/
This link to information about Butch was sent by Tom Ward and forwarded by David Hague.
Butch also had a Facebook page which has more information and postings from many who knew Butch.
James Randolph Painter
Here's a recording featuring Butch. The Iris Bell Trio started in Charleston in the mid-/late '60s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbjqK0gwOy8
Lynn Crislip (Durham)
Butch and I had a long friendship, and when we entered Jr. High our mothers decided we must take ballroom dance lessons. Every Saturday morning we were driven to lessons, determined we only wanted to learn American Bandstand "fast dance"! Our dance teacher finally told our moms she could not continue our lessons because we would not follow her directions....we won that battle! I'm so happy we stayed in touch all the way up to his death....RIP my friend!