In Loving Memory of Miles Griffith (1969–2025)
Original Scooch, Revolutionary Voice, Friend Like No Other

We are heartbroken to share that our dear friend, bandmate, and musical brother, Miles Griffith, passed away on April 2nd, 2025.

A force of nature, a spark of joy, a voice that could open the skies—Miles was truly one of a kind. His playful spirit, infectious laughter, and fearless creativity touched everyone he met. The inspiration he poured into our lives continues to echo in our harmonies, our rhythms, and our hearts.

A Musical Bond That Lasted a Lifetime

Miles Griffith and Nick Russo met at Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College, where they both studied under jazz legends Sir Roland Hanna and Jimmy Heath. That meeting lit a musical fire and deep, magical connection that is evident in all the many recordings, videos, and musical projects Nick and Miles shared together. The two began collaborating in the 1990s, and their friendship and artistry intertwined ever since. Their families were so close that rehearsals, concerts, recording touring always “feel like Thanksgiving,” in the words of Angie Workman (The Scooches’ vocalist).

Betina Hershey met Miles in 2006, singing together at Boom on Spring Street, NYC, with Nick, Harvey Wirht, and David Pleasant. “From the very first moment, I knew I was in the presence of something rare and electric.”

A Founding Scooch

Miles was a vital part of Nick Russo+11, Hot Jazz Jumpers, and The Scooches from its inception as Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches. With us, he recorded, performed, and toured, always bringing his irrepressible energy, creative on the fly musical ideas and fearless improvisation to every show. His voice lives on in our albums:

  • Ro (Nick Russo + 11)

  • The Very Next Thing (Hot Jazz Jumpers)

  • Very Next Thing (Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches)

  • Get Us Out of Fearland (Banjo Nickaru & The Scooches)

  • Lift You Up (The Scooches)

  • TRO’s Evergreen Vol. 1 (The Scooches)

You can hear his wild and wondrous spirit in every scat, every shout, every sweet phrase.

A Legacy Etched in Sound

Miles’ revolutionary vocal style defied category—jazz, gospel, blues, rock, R & B, reggae, free improv, Afro-Caribbean, American roots, Indian Raga, Global folk, World Music—he was the genre. His voice was his instrument, and his joy was his compass.

He sang with giants:
Betty Carter, Paul Simon, Cassandra Wilson, Wynton Marsalis (notably on the Pulitzer-winning Blood On The Fields), and more.

He recorded:

  • Spiritual Freedom (Miles Griffith)

  • Smile (Miles Griffith)

and collaborated on countless projects, always elevating, always transforming. Other notable works include:

  • Expanded Interpretations (Vered Dekel)

  • The Struggle Never Dies (Tony Pancella)

  • Songbook (Michael Jefry Stevens)

  • Jeff Lederer: Shakers n’ Bakers

Plus master musicians: Carl Allen, Bill Lee, T.S. Monk, Barry Harris, Tommy Campbell, Wilber Morris, Burhan Ocal, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Kirk Nurock, Craig Harris, poet Sekou Sundiata and many more!

He was also a passionate and dedicated educator, sharing his gifts and musical concepts with both the current and next generation of musicians.

Professor Miles was the music professor at Columbia University, New School Jazz and Contemporary Music, Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College, Jazzinty in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, in Izola, Slovenia with the Plesni Dance, Nick Russo School of Music master classes, Garden Players Musical Theater for Kids concerts and other universities and schools around the world.

Lifted by His Voice

We invite you to listen to Miles today. Start with our curated playlist, then seek out the deep cuts—the albums not on streaming, the bootlegs, the live takes, the joyful noise.

Because listening to Miles can truly lift you up.

His voice may have left the stage, but it will never leave us.
He was—and will always be—an original Scooch.

Rest in music, dear Miles.

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