Composer

milasyoes@gmail.com 480-239-2124

Milas has always been excited by the process of composing new music. From his early college days at Sam Houston State University he was inspired by the creation of new music by such notables as Dr. Newton Strandberg, Merlin Patterson and Dr. Fisher Tull. For jazz composition, he was under the tutelage of David Caffey where he performed new compositions every semester. In addition to David Caffey, Milas has performed in the big bands of Mike Crotty who is the former staff arranger for the U.S. Air Force Jazz Band known as the Airmen of Note, the Grammy Award winning Bob Freedman as well as the best-selling big band composer, arranger and Global Music Award winner Kris Berg.

Mr. Yoes has written new works for such jazz ensembles as the Arizona Western College Jazz Band, the Phoenix College Jazz Orchestra and Phoenix College Jazz Combos. He has performed his composition for trombone and piano, “Same Moon” at Phoenix College as well as his piece for unaccompanied trombone “What A World” at the Prescott High School Jazz Band Spring Concert. His arrangements have been performed by the Glendale District Honor Jazz Band, the Thunderbird High School Jazz Bands, The Four States Bandmasters Jazz Band, the Phoenix College Jazz Orchestra. His most recent composition is entitled Chassand La Lune and was commissioned by the Terramar Elementary K-8 Jazz Band, Debbie Hutson director.

Milas fondly remembers many of his students but has a special place in his heart for one young man who passed away from leukemia while still at Phoenix College. Only 19 years old, he was the first generation in his family to go to college, was passionate about jazz, and played a “mean” bass guitar. His best friend was a saxophone player in the same band. When he passed away, Yoes invited his mother to a concert in his honor, played by the P.C. Jazz Orchestra. The young student’s favorite jazz composition, Contemplation, was given a special arrangement by Mr. Yoes with a dedicated saxophone solo. This arrangement showcased the young student’s best friend and offered him a way to pay tribute to his departed friend in a meaningful way. Mr. Yoes will never forget how passionately the band played. Needless to say, there was not a dry eye in the house that night!

His latest composition “Quid Pro Quo” was premiered with the Nash Composers Coalition septet on Friday December 13.

The Thunderbird High School Jazz Band, Kris Hutson director