"Vladimir Miller studied music at Trent Park University from 1981-4, during which time he experimented with contemporary theatre and performance arts projects and regularly performed the works of such composers as Kurt Weil.

In 1987 he formed a modern jazz quartet playing his own compositions on the London jazz circuit whilst maintaining solo piano residencies over a period of three years. In 1990 he formed a composition partnership with singer / songwriter Heather Joyce and co-wrote music to an award-winning theatre production of Carousel's 'Smokescreen', premiered at the Brighton Festival. Their music has also been performed throughout England, including festivals at Bath and London's Soho.

In 1992 Vladimir travelled to Eastern Europe to explore new musical possibilities. He instantly formed new musical associations with musicians and performance artists that have continued to endure. His collaborations with installation art group 'Blah' and musicians such as Vladimir Rizitsky (reeds), Vladimir Tarasov (drums), Vladislav Makarov (cello) and Alexander Alexandov (basson) have led him to festivals in Siberia (Novosibirsk and Irkutsk), Arkhangelsk, Nijzni Novogorod and Ekaterinbourg in Russia, Odessa and Kiev in the Ukraine, Lithuania and Latvia.

Vladimir has been awarded two British Council sponsored grants. The first was with multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Paul Moss, touring the town perimeters of Moscow. The second was an education workshop project with Scottish drummer Ken Hyder in the Russian republic of Tuva, on the borders of Mongolia and Estern Siberia.

His frequent visits to Moscow and consequent close interaction with music producer Nikolai Dmitriev helped cement the forming of the Moscow Composers Orchestra (MCO), which he now directs. Since the debut CD 'Kings and Cabbages' released by Leo Records in March 1993 the MCO has experienced successful concert tours of Germany, Italy, Switzerland and others, including individual performances at 'Tampere Jazz Happening' in Finland, Koln Musik Triennale in Germany, Bolzano Jazz Festival in Italy, Vienna Russian Festival in Austria, Mimi Jazz Festival in France and as part of 'Unsung Music' at London's South Bank. This last concert was broadcast on BBC Radio 3's 'Impressions' programme. MCO have released seven CDs to critical acclaim. Scott Yanow, in Jazziz, wrote "shocking at first..but, as one becomes accustomed to the long tones and motional intensity, the music becomes magically coherent and logical." In BBC Music Magazine Ian Carr described the MCO as "a highly successful venture in the improvised music area." "

"Pierpaolo Martino is a Researcher in English Literature at the University of Bari. He deals with cultural studies, modernist and contemporary literature, and the relationship between literature and music. He has published more than forty literary, musical and cinematographic studies on authors such as Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, Virginia Woolf, Colin MacInnes, Alan Sillitoe, Philip Larkin, Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, Salman Rushdie, Kamau Brathwaite, Hanif Kureishi, Hari Kunzru , Derek Jarman, Morrissey, Nick Cave, Smiths and Radiohead. He is the author of three monographs: Virginia Woolf: the music of the lighthouse. Page and Improvisation (2003), Down in Albion. Studies on English pop culture (2007) and Mark the Music. The Language of Music in English Literature from Shakespeare to Salman Rushdie (2012) and curator of Exodus. Studies on Anglo-Caribbean Literature (2009) and Words and Music, Studies on the relationship between literature and music in the English-speaking world (2015).

As a musician he began to study bass guitar at the age of 15 to undertake the double bass at the N. Piccinni Conservatory in Bari in 1993. He attended several seminars on improvisation both in Italy and abroad and studied with the French bass player. Joelle Leandre and American bassist Mark Dresser. He has played with internationally renowned musicians such as Sabir Mateen, Marc Ducret, Steve Potts, Vinny Golia and Eugenio Colombo."

"ADRIAN NORTHOVER - saxophones, Played and recordings with B Shops for the Poor, The Remote Viewers, Sonicphonics (with Billy Bang), The London Improvisers Orchestra, Ensemble Trip-Tik, Anna Homler, Ricardo Tejero, The Custodians, Sabu Toyozumi, Terry Day, Tristan Honsinger and JJ Duerinckx ,duo CDÕs with Adam Bohman, Tasos Stamou, Daniel Thompson and others. Current projects include ÔHard EvidenceÕ with John Edwards and Steve Noble, playing the music of Thelonious Monk, Vladimir MillerÕs Notes from Underground, ÔHogcallinÕ - a septet playing the music of Charles Mingus, and a trio with Marcio Mattos and Marilza Gouvea. This year (2016) has also seen collaborations with Neil Metcalfe(flute), Jean-Michel Van Schouwburg (voice), Vladimir Tarasov (drums), and Marcello Magliocchi (drums) and Daniel Thompson(guitar). Adrian is also involved with Indian music (Jazz Thali ) and works with live music for film (Ensemble Kino)."