From left: Denver Bierman (center) with drummer Jared Ribble (2nd from right) and some of the members of the 12-piece Mile High Orchestra.

It was just five years ago when a trumpeter named Denver Bierman decided to front a swing jazz band with some friends at Belmont University in Nashville. Since then, Denver & The Mile High Orchestra has enjoyed gradual success by combining Christian lyrics with a lively big band sound reminiscent of Harry Connick Jr., Brian Setzer Orchestra, and Michael Bublé. But they haven't stopped there. Determined to be stylistically eclectic, Bierman and his drummer, Jared Ribble, told us how they've broadening their sound to include fusion funk, pop, and worship … and how audiences are responding to their approach.

You've just released your third album. What's got you most excited about this one?

Jared Ribble: I'm most excited about the diversity and the advancement in our sound. We will always be [big band jazz], but I love that we are expanding stylistically, and this album is true testament to that.

Denver Bierman: I'm excited about the actual songs. Track for track, I think this record is far better than any other we've ever done. From a songwriting standpoint, each song stands on its own. The melodies are well written - catchy yet complex. There are just a lot of cool things going on musically. And there's lots of high-energy bopping around in the sound waves. I also love the clear messages of love, life, and legacy - living a life of God's love and leaving a legacy on this planet that far exceeds anything else that we could ever imagine.

With all that musical diversity, did it pose any challenges to you vocally?

Bierman: This was by far the most difficult record to sing because of the various styles. There's a romantic ballad with all these lush strings called "Miracle to Me" that I wrote to my wife for our wedding. The vocal had to be delivered so delicately, and that makes it more challenging.

The big band stuff is similar to the swing music we've always done, so those were a little easier. But then we'd get into these funk, blues, and pop tunes where the voice can't sound as smooth as it does on the swing tunes - you've got to edge it up a bit. There were times when I felt like I was taking my vocal cords out of my throat, putting them in a skillet, and frying them up for dinner! There's a bluesy song called "Just Can't Get Enough" where I just ripped my voice to shreds recording it, but it was fun.

How would you describe your sound to someone who hasn't heard your music?

Bierman: We're what it would sound like if big band music were invented in 2000. There's something classic and timeless about it - like what your grandfather might have listened to in the '40s. But then we combine that great horn sound with a contemporary sound using drum loops and edgy guitars.

We do funk rock ("Get Down"), pop worship ("Glory Forever"), inspirational ballads ("Only Jesus") and old-school R&B ("Live Your Love").

Jared, are there also ways the band stretched musically on this album?

Ribble: The thing about playing on a record like this is that you have to know different styles of music and be able to play them at a moment's notice. It's true of our recording process, but even more so in the show. We constantly flip from one style of music to the next, and you have to be able to pull it out instantly. I really attribute that to having a good, well-rounded music education. That was very important in college for us - to take a variety of classes and learn about a wide variety of styles.

How have audiences responded to your diverse approach?

Ribble: We've been lending test copies to people, even before we officially sent the final product to be manufactured, and a lot of them refuse to give it back. It's really spoken to people and pulled out some emotion. I've given this album to some people who didn't like our previous records because they were too big band. But they seem to enjoy this one because the sound is stretched a bit - more contemporized.

The response has been very positive. Yeah, it switches styles a lot, but there's a flow about it that keeps an active mind intrigued and catches attention. In that way, it fits today's active culture and short attention span.

How has this musical diversity affected your live performances?

Bierman: I think it's true of every group that as they go along, they grow - musically, spiritually, and other ways. Five years ago, we started predominantly doing swing music. We've really grown since then, encompassing all sorts of different styles. So we've gone through an evolution, but we haven't forgotten where we've come from either.

The shows are fairly well balanced, musically speaking. There's something for everybody. I think we've come to realize that our concerts are very family oriented, for all generations. You're going to hear some funk, rock, blues, and then you're going to have some very intimate moments where songs focus on the Lord, challenging our lives and encouraging us in our faith.

You don't neatly fit into any particular radio format. Have you struggled with that, and can a band be successful without radio play?

Bierman: When you're musically different, it's always an uphill road because people don't sometimes know what to do with you. We've had a lot of radio people say, "We really love your music, but we're not quite sure where it fits with some of the other music that we're playing." You just have to be creative with a band like this and think outside the box. In our own way, we're trying to slowly redefine the box, getting the word out that there's music that's popular outside of radio. But we're gradually seeing some success with radio and hearing our music on the air.

We see ourselves as innovators, treading water that no one else has really tried to tread before. And with that comes some success as well as some difficulties, but we've been blessed to have some radio success and connect with listeners because of it.

Copyright © Christian Music Today. Click for reprint information.

Click here for more interviews.

Click here to view our music review archives.

Visit the artist pages for related interviews and reviews.

				Try an Issue of Today's Christian Woman Free! Name Street Address City/State/Zip E-mail Address No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders. If you decide you want to keep Today's Christian Woman coming, honor your invoice for just $17.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless. Give Today's Christian Woman as a gift Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!

FREE Newsletter Sign up now for the Christian Music Today weekly newsletter:    RSS Feed   RSS Help