In this KGNU Local Gold interview, Neil Smart speaks with Hazel Miller and pianist Bob Schlesinger about their decades-long musical partnership and their new project, Hazel Miller’s Jazz Roots, which explores the deep connections between jazz, blues, and American music. Schlesinger discusses releasing his first solo album later in his career and assembling a band of top-tier musicians, while Miller reflects on her influences and lifelong connection to the blues. The conversation highlights their upcoming performance at the Denver Jazz Festival, where they will debut this collaborative project at the Cleo Parker Robinson Theatre.
(Air Date: 3/18/26)
Listen Here:
Transcript:
Neil Smart:
More music coming your way, because guess what—we have Hazel Miller and Bob Schlesinger out in the cabaret room. So Miss Hazel and Bob, take it away.
Hazel Miller & Bob Schlesinger:
Performance.
Neil Smart:
Oh my goodness—that was fun.
Some of us have gotten that phone call late at night. I know I did.
Hazel Miller in the house today ahead of the Denver Jazz Festival. Let me get the dates right—April 7th through the 12th: six days, 15 venues, 40 shows.
Hazel and Bob will be at the Cleo Parker Robinson Theatre.
Hazel Miller:
Yes, the new one. It’s beautiful.
Neil Smart:
That’s a different building from the dance company, isn’t it?
Hazel Miller:
Mm-hmm.
Neil Smart:
That will be on the 12th at 4:00 PM. This is all part of a much bigger project, isn’t it?
Hazel Miller:
Bob’s got all the details. His memory’s better.
Bob Schlesinger:
Don’t call me the mastermind.
Neil Smart:
Tell us about the larger project and how we ended up with the two of you here this morning.
Bob Schlesinger:
Hazel and I have a working relationship that spans about 35 years. I played in her band full-time for seven or eight years and continued doing jazz and blues projects with her.
We’ve played jazz, blues, funk—you name it. And now I’m at a point where I’m 69 years old and just released my first album under my own name. That’s launching a new phase in my career.
Bill Milkowski called it one of the top jazz albums of 2025.
Hazel and I have talked for years about doing something together again, and I finally asked, “Do you want to do something?”
Hazel Miller:
I said, “Give me a call. Thank you, Lord.”
Bob Schlesinger:
So we created this project: Hazel Miller’s Jazz Roots. It’s a play on words—her musical roots and the roots of American music, which is the blues.
Hazel grew up listening to jazz, Motown, and blues. This project brings all of that together.
Neil Smart:
It’s true—the blues is the root of all American music. You can’t sing country or bluegrass without it.
Hazel Miller:
There’s no such thing without the blues. The blues isn’t just a feeling—it’s everything.
Neil Smart:
Could we impose on you for another song?
Hazel Miller:
Performance.
Neil Smart:
Oh my—I am absolutely speechless. Hazel Miller, how do you do that?
Hazel Miller:
I’ve learned from the best—Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight. I listen, I study, and I borrow.
Neil Smart:
Folks, we are live here with Ms. Hazel Miller and Bob Schlesinger on KGNU.
Bob, I’ve been stumbling over your name all morning—I’m sorry.
Bob Schlesinger:
Everyone does.
Neil Smart:
We’re so happy to have you here at KGNU.
Let me tell a quick story. Years ago, I was at a restaurant celebrating a birthday. Hazel didn’t know us, but she came over and sang “Happy Birthday” to my friend anyway. That says a lot about who you are.
Hazel Miller:
We’ve been running into each other ever since.
Neil Smart:
You really are an institution in Colorado music.
Hazel Miller:
I’ve borrowed from a lot of great singers—Lannie, Cheryl, Renee.
Bob Schlesinger:
And they’re still borrowing from you.
Neil Smart:
You can hear Hazel and Bob on April 12th at the Cleo Parker Robinson Theatre in Denver. It’s an intimate venue with great sound.
If you listen to Hazel’s recordings, put on headphones—you’ll hear the richness of her voice. It’s extraordinary.
Hazel Miller:
Thank you.
Neil Smart:
Bob, your album Falling from Earth features Mike Stern, Eddie Gomez, and Billy Drummond. Congratulations.
Could we hear one more?
Bob Schlesinger:
Absolutely. Before we do, I want to highlight the Denver Jazz Festival. It’s their second year, and it’s a big deal—international artists and top local talent.
Pat Metheny is opening the festival. Bob James is performing. Orrin Evans, Eric Gunnison—so many great musicians.
Go to denverjazz.org and check it out.
Our band includes Rich Lamb on bass, Harold Summey on drums, and Charles McNeal on saxophone—an incredible player who’s toured with Boz Scaggs and others.
Hazel Miller:
Please come see us on the 12th. This project is special to us, especially performing at Cleo Parker Robinson’s space.
Bob Schlesinger:
We’d like to close with a song we wrote inspired by Desmond Tutu and the Truth and Reconciliation process. It’s called “Time to Reconcile.”
Hazel Miller:
Performance.
Neil Smart:
Hazel Miller, Bob Schlesinger—thank you so much for coming in at this very un-musician-friendly hour.
Hazel Miller:
I should be in bed.
Neil Smart:
Thank you again for joining us on KGNU. Don’t miss them April 12th at the Cleo Parker Robinson Theatre.
Hazel Miller:
It’s a good reason to come out and celebrate before tax day.
Neil Smart:
There you go—spend it while you’ve got it.
Thanks so much for coming in.
