Marcus Miller Is Flying High as the ‘Superman of Soul’

“It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s Marcus Miller!”

The Superman introduction as Marcus Miller walked into a restaurant for an interview came courtesy of a fan, who joked that this incredibly versatile musician-producer-performer is “the Superman of soul.”

After the fan departed, Miller, who’s low-key, soft-spoken and uneasy about any heroic references, remarked: “I really don’t like to blow my own horn.”

You almost have to drag his list of accomplishments out of him. And for someone who’s only 30, the list really is rather formidable.

While in his early 20s, Miller, who plays electric bass, was a sidemen for legendary jazz trumpeter Miles Davis and has since produced Davis albums. As a writer/producer, Miller has collaborated with R&B; balladeer Luther Vandross on the singer’s long string of million-selling albums; for a year-and-a-half Miller was music director of the hip, nationally-syndicated music variety show “Night Music.” He co-wrote and co-produced the house-music soundtrack for the hit movie “House Party”; he produced and co-wrote E.U.’s funky single, “Da Butt.” He’s produced David Sanborn albums; he’s played in the band on the “Saturday Night Live” TV show; he’s a member of the R&B; trio, the Jamaica Boys, who have a new Reprise Records album, “The J-Boys.”

And those are just the highlights.

“I don’t like to tally up what I’ve done sometimes because it may seem like I’m looking for recognition as this great musical Jack-of-all-trades,” he insisted. “But I’m not. I’m just a man who’s heart and soul is in music. I love it so much that I’ll do any interesting project. I’m sort of a musical glutton. So I do this project and that one and this one and that one . . . “

Is there anything he can’t do?

“I don’t sing that well,” replied Miller who sings backing vocals and one lead on the Jamaica Boys’ new album. “It’s frustrating sometimes. But I’ve learned I can’t do everything .”