Arthur Miles

November 14, 1949 – July 31, 2024

American blues, soul and R&B singer, born in Indianapolis, at home in Italy for forty years.

Arthur Miles in a black suit and glasses, leaning on a doorway on the Soulfully Yours tour, 2023
Soulfully Yours Tour, 2023

A voice that crossed the Atlantic

Arthur Miles was born in Indianapolis and, for more than 55 years, built a career in the international music world. He began very young in Los Angeles, where he grew up around the music of his uncle, the great guitarist Wes Montgomery, and his father’s night club, “Arthur’s”. There he could watch, absorb and jam with some of the most famous blues, jazz and soul artists of the time. His early performances and work in Los Angeles brought him alongside Edwin Starr, José Feliciano, Big Joe Turner, Johnny Otis, Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson and Jimmy “Bo” Horne.

In 1984 he moved to Italy and worked with many Italian artists. His voice is on the Frank Raya Band hit “Eyah! Eyah!”, and from 1987 he began a long collaboration with Zucchero, singing on songs including “Senza una donna”, “Hey Man”, “Baila”, “Il diavolo in me” and “Ahum”. In 1990 he toured Italy with Gloria Gaynor, and re-recorded “I Will Survive” and “This Love Affair” with her.

His own records ran from A Love for All Seasons in 1991 to Stop in 2023, and he kept performing live, including at the North Lancs Soul Festival in 2018.

Along the way

  1. 1949Born on November 14 in Indianapolis.
  2. Los AngelesGrows up around his uncle Wes Montgomery’s music and his father’s club, “Arthur’s”.
  3. Age 14Starts playing professionally with his own bands.
  4. 1984Moves to Italy and begins working with Italian artists.
  5. 1987Begins working with Zucchero.
  6. 1990Tours Italy with Gloria Gaynor.
  7. 2023Releases Stop.
  8. 2024Dies on July 31.

On record