Eli Miller

Eli Miller was born in Illinois and began playing in school bands as a child, first performing on the same trumpet his father once played. Encouraged by dedicated teachers who saw his promise, Eli moved from trumpet to Sousaphone in high school and never looked back. After graduation, he performed with Ike Turner as part of the Ikettes just as Tina Turner joined the band. Eli later led his own group, The Miller Brothers. The group’s talent caught the attention of Bobby Darin, who supported them until his passing in 1973. Eli’s band performed Hebrew songs in the Catskills while he worked as a car mechanic during the week, until a surprise call led to an audition with Duke Ellington, who hired them for his stage show Jump for Joy. A gifted songwriter mentored by Luther Ingram, Eli continues to share his heartfelt message of gratitude through his music—still saying, “Thanks, everybody!” after every performance.