Joni Miller
Modern Times is a 5 song original EP. Released in 2016, and available on Bandcamp
All Just Talk is a 5 song original EP, released in November 2023, and available on Bandcamp.
Podcast
Photo: Brook Thompson
ABOUT
Photo: Brook Thompson
Joni Miller is a writer, musician, and vocalist from Vancouver, BC. She has published songs, fiction, non-fiction and poetry. She was a two-time finalist in the BC Federation of Writers Festival of the Arts Contest (1994, 1995),
Her original music is influenced by blues, rock and latin jazz. Joni's main instrument is electric bass, and she has a long time collaboration with The Usual Suspects, featuring Rino Marrone (keys); Amrit Basi (drums).
Past collaborators with The Usual Suspects include Dave Fleming, Craig Anthony, Matteus Moon, Mal Temple, Jeeven Singh, Marty Eade.
Recordings:
Modern Times (5 song EP) 2016
All Just Talk (5 song EP) to be released fall of 2023
Past History; Between 2002 and 2011, Joni lived, toured, wrote and collaborated with the late Vince Eastman as the Miller/Eastman band. Prior to that, she performed in an acoustic duo with Bob Beazer.
Other bands she has contributed to:
The Planza, Matteus Moon Trio, Mr M. & the All-Nighters, Mike Machado Trio, East Side Ramblers, Wes Cowley & the Shadow Jacks, Gram Partisans, The Singles (Motown)
shows
May 2025
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21 - Princeton Pub, Vancouver, 8 pm
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23 - Brighton Pub, Vancouver, 9 pm
June 2025
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7, 14, 28
Outdoor gig, Kamloops & Hastings, Vancouver, 1 - 3 pm
July 2025
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5 Outdoor gig, Kamloops & Hastings, Vancouver, 1 - 3 pm
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6 - McLean Park, 2-5 pm, 710 Keefer Street, with Caroline Lempert & Lawless Firm
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12 Juniors Pub, 1601 Commercial
August 2025
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2, 9, 16, 23
Outdoor gig, Kamloops & Hastings, Vancouver, 1 - 3 pm -
9 - Brighton Pub, Vancouver,9 pm
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20 - Princeton Pub, Vancouver, 8 pm
September 2025
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6, 13, 20, 27
Outdoor gig, Kamloops & Hastings, Vancouver, 1 - 3 pm -
20 - Brighton Pub, Vancouver,9 pm
Photo: Brook Thompson
video evidence
Rino Marrone, keys
Amrit Basi, Drums
Joni Miller, bass, vocals
Lorick Russow, saxophone
Blues + Soul + Rock n' Roll
The band has been performing around the Lower Mainland and North Okanagan since 2011 with their unique blend of blues, rock, soul and Latin Jazz. They are experienced, soulful, and dedicated to their craft.
Joni Miller (bass, vocals)
Rino Marrone (keys) is a graduate of the VCC jazz program, and also teaches music at the high school level.
Amrit Basi (drums) has toured with Jack Garton and the Demon Squadron, Blackberry Wood, Something about Reptiles.
Lorick Russow (saxophone) https://www.lorickrussow.com/
past participants include: Tiffany Hambrook, Guenther Schultz, Marty Eade, Craig Anthony, Mal Torrent, Dave Fleming, Jeeven Singh, Tonino Guizzo
The Usual suspects
TRIAGE
Joni Miller & Bo (Shane McMillian) met at a jam on Commercial Drive in East Vancouver. They played their first gig together on a pirate ship at Granville Island in summer of 2025. (Boats of Hope charity event.)
They are both steeped in the blues.
A native of St. Augustine, Florida, Bo toured with Bo & the Bluesdrivers throughout the southern California for about 10 years, playing festivals and bars. They earned the moniker"Southern California's Hardest-Working Blues Band" Original tunes are available on Apple Music, and other streaming platforms.
Canadian born Joni worked with Vince Eastman as the Miller/Eastman band from 2002 to 2011, performing in clubs, pubs, restaurants, festivals from the Coast, through central BC and into Alberta. After Vince succumbed to cancer, she formed Joni Miller & The Usual Suspects, still performing around Vancouver. Add a drummer to the mix, and you have "Triage" - a rockin' trio that will fix what ails you.