Growing up listening to the R&B side of music through out the 70's and 80's, Mike Miller
(founder & band leader) idolized the people he heard on records. In fact, it was an EWF
video he saw on late night TV (pre-MTV) that made him decide not only on embarking in
music ... but on the sax in particular.
During his early years as a school music student he found himself getting bored with the
ho-hum exercises and music he was playing in his daily routine. So, to spice things up he
would put on records and try to pick up the SAX lines to the songs. This would lay the
foundation for what would one day become the Sonic Funk Orchestra.
After graduating from high school he played in a few local Jazz groups as well as settling into
a position he has held for the past 17 seasons with a local Concert Band ... this is where he
met Kyle Bowman. It was also during this time that he, along with Steve Edwards (whom he
had known since the 7th grade), ran a DJ business. While DJ'ing, Mike & Steve realized real
soon what the most popular music was ... Disco & Funk! Mike, as a sax player none the less,
thought it would be a blast to do this live rather than spinning records.
Driven by his ambition, Mike began checking out local bands to see what they had to offer.
After watching a few it was becoming quite clear that he was very disappointed. He could
not understand why bands were attempting to play Disco or Funk music when they did not
have the personnel to do so, let alone the fact that they did not have a horn section!!
So, he decided to put one together. He got together with Kyle & Steve to discuss his idea and
to see if they would be interested. What would become the Sonic Funk Horn Section was
born.
In August of 2003, with the horn section in place, it was time to start with the rest of the band.
After recruiting some of the best musicians in the area, a series of meetings took place in
December of 2003. The purpose of those meetings was to familiarize everyone with Mike's
vision of what it was he wanted and to make sure everyone was on board with the plan. The
only way this band was going to work was for it to be large ... a concept not normally found
in the local cover band scene.
With the band in place and everyone on board with the plan it was finally time! The first
rehearsal took place in January of 2004 in a local High School Band Room ... and they
haven't looked back since!
(founder & band leader) idolized the people he heard on records. In fact, it was an EWF
video he saw on late night TV (pre-MTV) that made him decide not only on embarking in
music ... but on the sax in particular.
During his early years as a school music student he found himself getting bored with the
ho-hum exercises and music he was playing in his daily routine. So, to spice things up he
would put on records and try to pick up the SAX lines to the songs. This would lay the
foundation for what would one day become the Sonic Funk Orchestra.
After graduating from high school he played in a few local Jazz groups as well as settling into
a position he has held for the past 17 seasons with a local Concert Band ... this is where he
met Kyle Bowman. It was also during this time that he, along with Steve Edwards (whom he
had known since the 7th grade), ran a DJ business. While DJ'ing, Mike & Steve realized real
soon what the most popular music was ... Disco & Funk! Mike, as a sax player none the less,
thought it would be a blast to do this live rather than spinning records.
Driven by his ambition, Mike began checking out local bands to see what they had to offer.
After watching a few it was becoming quite clear that he was very disappointed. He could
not understand why bands were attempting to play Disco or Funk music when they did not
have the personnel to do so, let alone the fact that they did not have a horn section!!
So, he decided to put one together. He got together with Kyle & Steve to discuss his idea and
to see if they would be interested. What would become the Sonic Funk Horn Section was
born.
In August of 2003, with the horn section in place, it was time to start with the rest of the band.
After recruiting some of the best musicians in the area, a series of meetings took place in
December of 2003. The purpose of those meetings was to familiarize everyone with Mike's
vision of what it was he wanted and to make sure everyone was on board with the plan. The
only way this band was going to work was for it to be large ... a concept not normally found
in the local cover band scene.
With the band in place and everyone on board with the plan it was finally time! The first
rehearsal took place in January of 2004 in a local High School Band Room ... and they
haven't looked back since!
