Desert Swing's Home Page

The Desert Swing band was initially begun as a cooperative ensemble by another Boise banjoist and Ray Miller early in 1995. The name Desert Swing was registered by Ray Miller in 1997 and is used by Ray for any group he assembles, even if for just one engagement. Over the years, Desert Swing has taken many forms, from a small duo or trio to an ensemble of nearly a dozen musicians, as shown below.

The pictures above were taken at Satchel's Grill in Boise, Idaho. There are 8 of the finest jazz banjoists west of the Mississippi on stage for this 'once-in-a-lifetime' ensemble called, Desert Swing. Members on banjo include: Miyoko Onishi (Tokyo, Japan), Dave Marty (Novato, CA), Abe van der Meulen (Novato, CA), Keith Presting (Daly City, CA), Bob & Gaylen George (San Jose, CA), Gary Kerr (Concord, CA), John Mumford (Denver, CO), and Ray Miller (Boise, ID). Other members are John Zuerner, reeds, (Sequim, WA) and Dekker Westerberg, guitar, (Denver, CO).

Desert Swing has had a spotty existence, usually being convened only for one-time events. With his musical interests changing focus from banjo to solo guitar and jazz uke, Ray's time is limited to occasional bookings with the band. It seems that duo and trio gigs are the most we can hope to pull together these days. Unless - - - we get a visit from our musical friends, like Miyoko Onishi, Japan's Jazz Banjo Lady or Dave Marty.

Definition: Jazz Banjo = usually a four string resonator banjo played by strumming chord melody with a pick or picking single string leads. These banjos are either of the long neck, plectrum style, or the shorter neck, tenor style. The tuning of these banjos can be any tuning the player desires, but centers primarily around Plectrum tuning or Tenor tuning. Guitar tuning is also used by some banjoists. The term jazz used in this context is a broad term involving music of Tin Pan Alley, traditional Dixieland music, and the swing era big band music. Loosely interpreted, the term jazz can be applied to just about any music from classical to modern day tunes, to which many banjo players have adjusted. If a tune can be played on this instrument, it can be called a jazz banjo performance.

A number of musical things happened this month. Archie Kama, a wonderful man and ukulele player and songster, came to Boise with his wife, Jeannie. They live in Salem, OR and travel to Boise to visit relatives a few times each year. Archie and I get together whenever we can and play ukulele music and sing Hawaiian tunes. It is a great pleasure for Ray to have Archie in his circle of friends.

The Boise Ukulele Group is functional once again under the guidance of Jack Lawson and Earl Mullins. They are meeting regularly every Wednesday evening at Jack's office. At last count, Ray came up with about 15-18 individuals who have shown up at meetings, with around a dozen as regulars.

There is a new restaurant in Boise. It is the Ono Hawaiian Cafe (a subsidiary of Kanak Attack Catering). Ono has been open since December of '07. During a recent visit of Ukulele virtuoso, Peter Pekelo from Seattle, Ray joined in with a group of folks and played some music at the first ever Sunday Brunch at Ono. The picture below shows Peter at the far left, Earl Mullins in the Center, and Ray with Uncle Herb at the right:

Miyoko Onishi came to Boise and accompanied me to The Sun Valley Swing'n'Dixie Jazz Jamboree. Miyoko arrived on the 17th only to get out of the plane and into my car as we head to Sun Valley. Upon our return from Sun Valley, Miyoko will be joining one of our favorite bands, Stella at Satchel's on Sunday. This is going to be more fun for me than an old man should be allowed to have.

Ray Miller is very appreciative of Miyoko traveling from Tokyo, Japan twice this year to be with us. What a gal! It will be a pleasure taking Miyoko to Sun Valley for her first visit to this fine Jamboree.

UPDATE: We returned from Sun Valley on Saturday, 10/20. Miyoko was ecstatic about the whole experience. We had 3 days of swing and trad jazz from some of the best of the best. Miyoko was upbeat and excited the entire time. Miyoko joined in and played a few tunes during Banjomania (a special session every Jamboree). As expected, she was a success. Audience members were asking where else Miyoko would be playing and seemed quite disappointed when told that she was only a visitor, not a performer. Most indicated they would 'write-in' praises of Miyoko Onishi on the critique form.

In one of the 13 venues, we experienced the jazz music of The Brian Nova Trio. Miyoko thought she recognized Brian and wanted me to ask him if he had ever traveled to Japan. Intending to extend greetings to him from Dominic DeLaquil, the owner of Satchel's and friend of Brian's, I approached and did just that. Then I asked Miyoko's question and Brian said he is in Japan at least yearly and that he was doing a few gigs in Tokyo in December. It was then that I introduced him to Miyoko. Miyoko said that she had played some music with him about two years ago. Brian then said he recognized her and that her piano player, Ohashi-san, is his friend and musician whenever he travels to Japan. This made Miyoko very, very happy. We talked for a few minutes, then listened to Brian and his Trio play some very nice jazz. Brian's vocals are awesome, and his jazz guitar is world-class. Please go to YouTube.com, search for 'brian nova' and experience his music. It is simply awesome. Please visit Brian Nova's Web site at http://www.briannova.com/ -- support this fantastic talent; he deserves it!!!

Our delightful friend, Miyoko Onishi, came to Boise for the 5th time in 6 years to enjoy a holiday and play music. She played at Satchel's Grill in Boise once again (see pictures below this paragraph). In addition, she played at the Jewett Auditorium for the 25th Annual Banjo Gathering. Miyoko is an accomplished solo banjoist, but for these events, she enlisted some background musicians. She was billed as Japan's Jazz Banjo Lady and backed up by Desert Swing. Joining Ray in Desert Swing was Jonah Shue (from the Frim Fram Four on guitar, violin, and vocals), James Karl (the James Karl Trio on piano and vocals), and Rob Hill (Stellacoustic on bass). Thanks go out to these fine Boise musicians for joining Ray and doing such a phenomenal job backing Miyoko. Miyoko was a hit everywhere she played and we are happy her holiday was the success she hoped for.

Miyoko played a short set prior to her gigs. Miyoko and a tired old Ray downtown in Boise.

The next two pictures were taken at Pengilley's Saloon in Boise. Ray and Jane took Miyoko out one evening to check out some local music. The band for that evening at Pengilley's was the Frim Fram Four, with Jonah Shue. Joining the FF4 for the evening was recording artist John "Fat John" Nemeth who is a fabulous blues/jazz singer. He entertained in grand style. The next picture is of Curtis Stigers, the great jazz saxophonist and singer. Curtis is also a recording artist with a song that has hit the top ten recently. His sax playing is the best and he is in demand everywhere. What a great night of music we were treated to and a fine example of what Boise has to offer musically. Miyoko never stopped talking about that evening.

Miyoko arrived in Boise for a holiday visit and to play some jazz banjo with us and with the folks who gather in Caldwell, Idaho for a yearly get-together. We arranged to book Miyoko into Satchel's Grill for three dedicated performances. The pictures below show Miyoko in performance at the three bookings and on stage at the Jewett Auditorium in Caldwell.

Miyoko on stage at the Jewett Auditorium Banjo Show. Just a couple of good friends.

The background music is "In a Mellow Tone" recorded in a controlled environment. Four takes were necessary.

The Desert Swing Duo is comprised of 67-year old Ray Miller and 75-year old Don Seeber. These two old duffers are the obligatory 'old folks' in most of the jams they attend, and offer a unique genre of music to their cohorts. They also work as the D. S. D. at Satchel's Grill, many rest homes, and some senior centers throughout the Treasure Valley of Idaho. In the pictures taken at a recent jam session in downtown Boise, The Duo is joined by members of Stella, a Boise rock band. Dan Costello, guitar, and Rob Hill, bass, are two of the finest young musicians working in the Treasure Valley. Their musical abilities are amazing, proven by the fact that they make Don and Ray sound much better than they are! Actually, this is what music is all about in the Boise environment. Many genres of music can come together and blend so very well. What a great place to play music . . . Oh, while we were playing a very kind gentleman approached and asked each musician if he could photograph them. His name is Keith Couch and he is a new friend of the D. S. D. Our thanks go out to Keith.

Dan and Ray yuk it up a bit while performing as a duet on a recent Saturday jam session.

If you want to hear Desert Swing, visit this site periodically for it's performance bookings. The listing will appear lower down on this page.

Ray was asked in an interview, "What is best about playing trad jazz on the banjo and nice, mellow jazz on the ukulele?"

Answer? "All the fine friends that I have made through the years. Nearly all are honest, fun loving people; some of the finest folks I have had the pleasure to know and play music with." Examples below . . .

The Zoo Human Project? What is that? It is a phenomenal trio from Los Angeles comprised of two singer/songwriters and a hand percussionist/vocalist. What can we tell you about this trio? Hearing is believing - they are the nicest entertainers we have met in a long, long time. Jen Cordero, Derek Martinez, and Kevin Sakamoto are the members of the ZHP. They have one CD out at this writing, but with the talent of this group, there will be more. They appeared in Boise for a couple of weeks while on their national tour. They started with San Francisco, then Sacramento, followed by Seattle, Spokane, Couer D' Alene, and finally Boise. They are off to Chicago, New York, Boston, and Atlanta for the next phase of their tour. If you get a chance to see and hear them, do it, and please send my best regards along when you do. You can go to http://www.myspace.com/thezoohumanproject for more info and sound bites of their wonderful music. Jen Cordero and Derek Martinez can be found individually on myspace also.

Just today, June 29th, Jane and I went to a restaurant (Villa D'Este on Ocean Avenue in San Francisco). We went for dinner and to listen to the Villa D'Este Trio. The piano player, Jim Rousey is pretty good, and the vocalist, Kathy Holley, is also, but the saxophone player is the best. He is Karl Karlton and plays any genre beautifully.

Karl was wearing a beautiful Hawaiian shirt, and I jokingly offered him $10 for it. He said it was not for sale and proceeded to take it off and lay it over my shoulder, saying, "...but, if you like it, you should have it." I was blown away. I tried to gracefully extricate myself from this minor embarrassment, but failed miserably. I now have a new shirt that I will wear proudly at every venue where I play ukulele. What a guy!

The pictures below were taken just before and right after Karl gave me the shirt. Directly below from left to right are moi (in my new shirt), Jane, Kimie (Karl's lovely spouse), and Karl. Karl and I had met a couple of years ago, then again at a street festival on Chestnut Street in San Francisco. Needless to say, I am a Karl Karlton fan -- BIGTIME!

The Jazz Ukulele of Ray Miller

This is a relatively new venture for Ray. Fortunately, in the gigs he is playing currently, the concept of playing swing and jazz on a ukulele is unique enough to almost demand the audience's attention. What Ray is doing with the uke seems to please his audiences. With music from the early 1900's through the swing era, Ray is entertaining his audiences with humor, song, and instrumental favorites.

"My business card is on the left, and the picture to the right is me with the person who allows, encourages, & promotes my music. My #1 fan is my wife, Jane."

Performing regularly at Satchel's Jam on Saturdays is a big deal for Ray. The crowds are OK, with at least 2/3 of the chairs filled; often, there are no empty seats. It helps to have friends and relatives in the audience, but there are folks who claim to be fans of Ray's music. Ray loves it when people with questionable taste in music are in the audience. "They make playing and singing a pleasure," says Ray.

The ukulele shown above is an 18"-scale tenor ukulele. The original design is that of Hank Robinson (amateur luthier from Omaha, NE. The uke that I am playing above has been modified substantially by me into what you see above. It plays beautifully and is a simple pleasure to play. I have used a variety of pickups on this uke, from dual stereo mics installed in the uke (my own design), to boom mics specially designed for acoustic instruments, to transducer mics. The best pickup I have ever used is the Schertler Mandolin Pickup, recommended to me by Brett Dewey, mandolin player with Trio Pinto.

The uke above is constructed of Koa (sides, back, and headstock), Sitka Spruce (top), Mahogany (neck, headstock, and tailpiece), and Maple Burl (finger rest). The uke is bound around the top, back, and headstock, and sides of the Ebony fingerboard. It is beautiful.

(Date: February, 2007) Ray has purchased a new ukulele. The builder is Leonard Young of Boise, Idaho. He hand crafts top of the line ukuleles for some of the best players in Hawaii and elsewhere. Ray became aware of Young Ukuleles through a luthier at the Old Boise Guitar Company. Upon contacting Leonard, Ray commissioned him to build a beautiful 17�" scale tenor uke. The reason for Ray to have another tenor uke is that Leonard is noted for building the most beautiful sounding steel string ukes in the world. Take a look at the pictures of Ray's new uke below; paying particular attention to the design of the headstock and bridge which are Leonard's very unique and beautiful trademark signatures:

Be sure to visit Leonard Young's Web site for more information on his fine ukuleles. Also, as you log in, be sure your sound is active so you can hear Hawaii's own Kimo Hussey playing one of Leonard's ukes.

In loving memory of Leonard Young born Feb 26, 1935 in Honolulu, HI

Leonard moved from this life to the next October 9, 2007.

The Young family wants to thank everyone for their love and support through the years. We hope you'll keep Leonard's love of music alive and never stop playing music!

From the maker, Leonard Young:

Hawaii is the home of the ukulele. It is also my home. I was born and raised in Hawaii. I learned the craft of making ukuleles in Hawaii.

Music has always been a part of my life. I still recall the first all plastic ukulele I got for Christmas. It came from Woolworth Department Store. I carried and played it constantly everywhere I went. I literally wore that ukulele out.

Leonard Young became a good friend most recently. I visited him in December, a year ago (2006). It was a great first meeting. I felt like I had known Len for years following that session. I ordered a Koa Lili�u from him at that time. We met regularly over the next couple of months, always talking about music, family and his ukuleles. A kinder, more generous man I have not had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know.

In February of �07, I got a call from Len with the news that my uke was ready to pick up. Wow!!! He must have worked hard getting it done for me in such a short time. I got in the car and immediately drove the 5-miles from my home to his � it seemed like an epic voyage. What only took minutes seemed like hours. I was excited to see it, hold it, and most of all, play it. It was all I had envisioned it to be � and more!

I was so proud to own the little gem of a ukulele, that I invited Len to Satchel's to hear me play it in performance for the first time. What a treat it was for me to have Mr. Young in the audience as I played. Following my short performance, I introduced Len to the audience. He was pleased.

Although I have only known Len a year, his friendship will last me a lifetime, never to be forgotten. In addition, I will cherish his workmanship in the ukulele I now own and play regularly. It has the most beautiful sound of all the ukuleles I own, and I will play it from now on with the knowledge that it came from the mind, hands, and heart of my friend, Leonard Young.

Perhaps of passing interest:

Below is an article written for the Internet and published with these pictures on an early version of this site. This appeared for about two years after which it was retired into obscurity. It is resurrected with some ambivalence but will be shown here regardless of recent history's hard lesson learned.

{DESERT SWING in 1995}

"We have returned from a successful engagement at the 6th Annual Sun Valley Swing'n'Dixie Jazz Jamboree. There were 24 of the best of the best in Dixieland bands. We were not one of them, however, we did play the breaks and special venues in the Sun Valley Lodge. We were there as guests of the Idaho Jazz Society and the Jamboree committee. A great time was had by one and all -- especially the public. There was more good music than you can shake a stick at; in fact, if you didn't like one band, you could walk across the street, down the hall, or out by the ice rink and hear something you did like. What a fantastic experience."

From left to right↑above↑:
Mark "Jazz-mo" Seiler, jazz violin, bass - John March, bass, euphonium, tuba - Larry Babcock, piano, vocals - Dean Cerva, banjo, guitar - Ray Miller, banjo, guitar, vocals - Audience Member - Cary Hobbs, banjo, vocals