Trumpeter

Millie Ahearn

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About Millie

Jazz & Session Musician Chicago IL | London UK MMus (NWU) | BA (Oxon.) | DipABRSM Performer | Composer | Educator
Trumpeter
Evanston

Millie is a young jazz musician born and raised in South London, UK. They seek to channel the lineage of the great trumpet masters in pursuit of a unique voice and sound, investing in the language and soul of Freddie Hubbard, Clifford Brown, Woody Shaw, Lee Morgan and further. Having directed big bands, neo-soul collectives and contemporary rock-classical ensembles in England, Millie relocated to Chicago in 2021 to move closer to the source and centralize their sound. During their time at Oxford University, Millie directed university big band ‘The Donut Kings’ through its most successful years. In addition to frequenting black- and white-tie events across Oxford and London, the band’s most successful performance delivered Kenny Wheeler’s Sweet Time Suite to an audience of over 400 at Oxford’s Sheldonian Theatre. Upon graduating in 2019, Millie’s tenure culminated in a European tour concluding at Bilbao’s Kafe Antzokia. Among other key roles during this time were with ‘Elephantasy’ – a neo-soul collective inspired by the music of Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, and D’Angelo and others – ‘About Life’ – a contemporary jazz quintet exploring broken beat, afrobeat, Latin, funk and techno – 'Introspection' – a 7-piece contemporary jazz and jazz-rock ensemble lead by composer and guitarist Julian Woods – ‘Baker’s Dozen’ – a contemporary classical, jazz, pop and electronic ensemble led by composer and pianist Harry Baker - and the 'Hot Fruit Orchestra' with Gaz Coombes. Millie was also involved in several recording projects, including ‘All In’ – the inaugural album of the independent label ‘JazzSoc Records,' written and recorded by SNARP – and ‘Project Albus’ – a pop-classical synthesis album written and recorded by Tanay Joshi. Millie’s latest recording project, 'Octagyn' (World Heart Beat Records, 2022), is their debut release as leader. Recorded in London in 2021, 'Octagyn' is a distillation of the thoughts and feelings of a queer, non-binary musician navigating extended isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. It exists ultimately as an expression of rawness and recklessness, embracing the erratic and celebrating the uncertain articulated within lines woven between queerness and jazz. The album draws inspiration from a variety of sources bridging Kenny Garrett, Bheki Mseleku, Freddie Hubbard, Kenny Wheeler, Cedar Walton, Mulgrew Miller, Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Yes and Steely Dan, forging a space for both introspection and flamboyance to coexist and coalesce. 'Octagyn' was launched to a live audience of over 100 on January 24th, 2023 at Evanston SPACE. Since moving to Chicago to study at Northwestern University, Millie has had the fortune to work with the likes of Derrick Gardner, Victor Goines, Roger Ingram, Jeremy Kahn, Ernie Adams, Marques Carroll, Chris Greene, Greg Artry, Jon Deitemyer, Brad Mason, Quentin Coaxum, Joe Clark, Darius Hampton and Morgan Pirtle, among others. Previously, Millie had studied in London under Julian and James Joseph, Trevor Watkis, Nikki Iles, Pete Churchill, Mornington Lockett, Tony Kofi, Byron Wallen, Gerard Presencer, Duncan Eagles, Andrea Vicari and Jonathan Bratoëff. This offered them opportunities to perform in venues such as the Cadogan Hall, the Royal Festival Hall, Fairfield Halls, St. John's Smith Square and the Royal Academy of Music, in addition to numerous European venues while on tour. Millie is passionate about their teaching, holding the firm belief that everybody should be given access to music from an early age. They offer private teaching in trumpet, piano, music theory and improvisation, to both jazz and classical students of any age and at any level. When in England, they hold a position with the Sutton Music Service as a whole-class trumpet and baritone teacher to primary school children in the local borough. This stands alongside their work with Merton Music Foundation's 'Jazz Works' program, a project designed to shape the early jazz education of local musicians aged 8-18.

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7th Anniversary
This act has been working with Encore for over 7 years
Musicianship
Genres:
Jazz, Blues, Jazz fusion, Cabaret, Latin jazz, Swing, Modern jazz, Christmas, Classical, Baroque, Classical crossover, Contemporary classical, Early music, Fanfare, Film / TV music, Musical theatre, Opera, 1990s era music, 1980s era music, 1970s era music, 1960s era music, 1950s era music, 1940s era music, 1930s era music, 1920s era music, Avant garde, Easy listening, Experimental, Light music, Originals, Covers, Disco, Funk, Funk rock, Pop, Acoustic, Americana, Hip Hop, Motown, R&B, Soul, Tribute, Vintage, Indie, Rock 'n' Roll, Bossa nova, Latin, Ska, Glam rock, Rock, Alternative rock, Britpop, Classic rock, Hard rock, Hardcore, Heavy metal, Pop rock, Post rock, Power rock, Progressive rock, Punk rock, Synth rock
See all genres
Instruments:
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Event types:
Private event, Wedding, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Corporate event, Charity event, Concert, Recording session, Theatre / Show, Cruise, Burns night, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve
See all event types
Other skills:
Composer, Arranger, Songwriter, Transcription, Fluent improviser, Fluent sight-reader, Instrumental teaching, Theory teaching, Musicologist, Orchestrator, Lyricist, Accompanist
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Millie's Song list

Jazz combo: Any jazz standard, including but not limited to the following:
• A Child is Born
• A Night in Tunisia
• Agua de Beber
• Ain’t Misbehavin’
• Airegin
• All Blues
• All of Me
• All the Things You Are
• Almost Like Being in Love
• Alone Together
• Angel Eyes
• Anthropology
• Autumn in New York
• Autumn Leaves
• Beatrice
• Beautiful Love
• Bewitched
• Billie’s Bounce
• Birdland
• Black Nile
• Black Orpheus
• Blue Bossa
• Blue in Green
• Blue Monk
• Blues for Alice
• Body and Soul
• But Beautiful
• Butterfly
• C Jam Blues
• Cantaloupe Island
• Caravan
• Chameleon
• Chelsea Bridge
• Cherokee
• Chi Chi
• Con Alma
• Darn That Dream
• Desafinado
• Detour Ahead
• Dienda
• Dolphin Dance
• Donna Lee
• Doxy
• Dream a Little Dream of Me
• Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye
• Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum
• 500 Miles High
• Fly Me to the Moon
• Footprints
• Four
• Freddie Freeloader
• From This Moment On
• Georgia
• The Girl From Ipanema
• Have You Met Miss Jones
• Honeysuckle Rose
• How High the Moon
• I Fall in Love Too Easily
• I'll Remember April
• I’m Beginning to See the Light
• I’ve Got You Under My Skin
• Impressions
• In a Mellow Tone
• In a Sentimental Mood
• Inner Urge
• Insensatez
• Invitation
• I Should Care
• It Could Happen to You
• It Don’t Mean a Thing (if it Ain't Got That Swing)
• It’s Only a Paper Moon
• Killer Joe
• Kind Folk
• Li’l Darlin’
• Like Someone in Love
• Little Sunflower
• Lucky Southern
• Lullaby of Birdland
• Maiden Voyage
• Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
• Midnight Voyage
• Milestones (Davis)
• Misty
• Moment’s Notice
• Mood Indigo
• Mr. Day
• Mr. P.C.
• My Favourite Things
• My Foolish Heart
• My Funny Valentine
• My Groove, Your Move
• My Little Suede Shoes
• My One and Only Love
• My Romance
• My Ship
• Nardis
• Nica’s Dream
• The Night Has a Thousand Eyes
• A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
• Oleo
• On Green Dolphin Street
• One Note Samba
• Ornithology
• Out of Nowhere
• Over the Rainbow
• Ow
• Passion Dance
• Prelude to a Kiss
• Pure Imagination
• Recordame
• Red Clay
• 'Round Midnight
• The Saga of Harrison Crabfeathers
• Satin Doll
• Seven Steps to Heaven
• Simone
• Smatter
• Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise
• Solitude
• Someday My Prince Will Come
• Song For My Father
• Soon
• Sophisticated Lady
• Spain
• Speak Low
• Speak No Evil
• St. Thomas
• Stella by Starlight
• Stolen Moments
• Straight, No Chaser
• Strasbourg St. Denis
• Summertime
• Sunny Side of the Street
• Sweet Georgia Brown
• Take Five
• Take the “A” Train
• Tea For Two
• Tell Me a Bedtime Story
• Tenor Madness
• There Will Never Be Another You
• This I Dig of You
• Tones for Joan’s Bones
• Triste
• Ugly Beauty
• Waltz for Debby
• Watermelon Man
• Wave
• The Way You Look Tonight
• What Is This Thing Called Love
• Whisper Not
• Why Don't You Do Right
• Yesterdays
• You Don't Know What Love Is
... in addition to personal compositions and transcriptions.
Function band: Any popular charts from 1960s onwards.
Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

Authenticity, creativity and professionalism.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

- Cadogan Hall, London - Kafe Antzokia, Bilbao - Grosvenor House, London Mayfair - Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford - Boat parties across the Thames - Various European countries on music tours

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

Kenny Wheeler, Roy Hargrove, Miles Davis, Terence Blanchard, Chet Baker, Kamasi Washington, Keith Jarrett, Bheki Mseleku, Herbie Hancock, Kenny Kirkland and Bill Evans.

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

Performing Kenny Wheeler's 'Sweet Time Suite', from the 1990 album 'Music for Large and Small Ensembles', with The Donut Kings - a big band I directed at Oxford University. I had arranged all of the music myself, and we were met with a 400-strong standing ovation inside Oxford's prestigious Sheldonian Theatre.

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

I always try my best to be flexible to help ensure your event runs as smoothly as possible. If timings change slightly in the run up to the event, just let me know.

Can you provide an iPod/DJ service before and between your sets?

Yes, if given access to a PA system.

How much time do you need to set up?

I usually set up about 1 to 1.5 hours before the performance time.

Can I pick the pieces you play from the set list?

My set lists are constructed from countless performances and learning what works best to ensure guests have an amazing time. However, I'm definitely happy to chat through to make sure we find what works for your event.

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

Yes, I bring my own instrument. Amplification will need to be discussed.

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

If a piece isn't included in my set list, there may still be a chance I already know it. If there is a special song you'd like me to learn, I am happy to do this for you. There is a fee of £30 for this service to take into account rehearsal times, etc.

Millie's Prices

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Short performance (up to 15 min)£40
Up to 1 hour£160
Up to 2 hours£320
Up to 3 hours£480
Packages
Private Tuition
Trumpet, piano, music theory or improvisation lessons, in both jazz and classical styles. I charge: - £35/hr (minimum rate recommended by MU) I'm qualified with: - Professional experience in music education (whole-class and one-to-one instrumental tutoring for both Sutton Music Service and Merton Music Foundation) - Bachelor's Degree in Music, Oxford University - 10 years of professional experience in trumpet - DipABRSM (piano) I can teach with: - Zoom - Microsoft Teams I can help with: - Trumpet (beginner to Grade 8 standard) - Piano (beginner to Grade 8 standard) - Theory (basic and advanced harmony, aural training, musical analysis, music history, etc.) - Improvisation (trumpet/piano, including chord voicings) All of the above can be tailored to jazz or classical styles.
£35
Fanfare
I can provide a custom fanfare for your event! If this were to be part of a longer performance, however, please consult my standard price listings.
£40
Remembrance Sunday
Remembrance Sunday service, including The Last Post and any other desired music. Accompanists for any music requested outside of the bugle calls must be provided. From the £50, I will donate £10 straight to 'Help for Heroes', the UK armed forces and military verterans charity.
£50
Jazz Combo (Small)
As a regularly gigging freelance musician, I play with many different people at many different events. For your event, I can source professional session musicians to deliver a small jazz combo (three to six players) tailored specially to your needs. The main focus of this service is for jazz set-ups, but classical chamber ensembles can also be provided at the same price. This service is charged at £125 per person, not including travel expenses. Provision of electrical equipment can be discussed.
£500
Millie
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5
5 verified reviews

Millie's Reviews

From customers:

AC
Abram C
1 year ago, for a Recording session in Evanston
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

"The decision to work with Mikey afforded me a sturdy, muscular trumpet sound that allowed a recent recording project of mine to flourish in presence and energy. Mikey took their work seriously and made sure to provide only the best of what they could give for my finished product, and I couldn't be more pleased. Aside from their professional attitude, Mikey is a pleasant soul with a bright sense of humor, making any collaboration a real treat." - Abram Collier, saxophonist, vocalist & bandleader

SW
Sam W
3 years ago, for a Private event in London
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

"Mikey is a fantastic tutor. He is an excellent trumpet player, a great teacher, and a lovely person. He is particularly good at isolating single concepts, such as breathing, tonguing, phrasing, soloing, and sharing his expansive learning on these concepts, in a way that is perfectly suited to your level of playing. Most of all, I really enjoy our classes together. I would recommend him to anyone." - Sam Williams, private trumpet student

Read all 5 reviews