When Myles Hayes sings, he brings new life and unforgettable energy to the jazz standards wherever you may find him. Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Myles studied voice performance at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. He then spent a brief time in New York City as a street performer before returning to Fort Worth to focus his efforts on jazz. Studying under UT-Dallas professor and award-winning pianist Michael McVey, Myles focused on such influences as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bobby Darren, Tony Bennett and Nat King Cole. After performing at the historic Italian Inn of Fort Worth for over two years, Myles decided to take his sound into the studio.
Recorded at First Street Audio (now Fort Worth Sound), produced by Jordan Richardson (now drummer for Ben Harper & The Relentless 7), and released in July of 2005, the sixteen track album "Empty Tables" brought together jazz musicians from all over DFW. Thrilled to finally sing with a full band, Myles worked to form a permanent group. It was then in October in 2006 that The Moondevils premiered at The Moon, swinging a set of the standards.
After a few months of this seven-piece ensemble leading weekly jazz jams at The Moon, the group quickly discovered their own style and started swinging through other venues in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, including 8.0's, Embargo, The Flying Saucer, The Lonesome Dove, Ten Martini Lounge, and the five-star Adolphus Hotel. They also performed at such music festivals as The Fort Worth Main Street Arts Festival and The Blue Bonnet Circle Spring & Fall Festivals, and were the featured artists at “Tuesdays at the Modern” at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. In February of 2007 the Moondevils recorded a new nine-track album of jazz standards entitled "Night & Day". Again working with Jordan Richardson at First Street Audio, "Night & Day" was released in July of 2007, and is now available to purchase at http://cdbaby.com/cd/mhmoondevils.
Now based in Chicago, Illinois, Myles has founded The Myles Hayes Jazz Quintet and The Flatlander Jazz Band, with whom he has recorded with at Columbia University and Chicago Center School of Music. He has studied under Grammy-nominated jazz and blues vocalist Typhanie Monique of The Old Town School of Folk Music, he works regularly with Terry Smirl of The Les Artistas Agency in Milwaukee for booking, and through the help of pianist Laura Hoffman, Myles is currently composing originals of his own for his next solo album.
Chicago venues that Myles has performed at include Martini Park, the Pete Miller's Restaurants, Cité of the Lake Point Tower, Katerina's, The Vintage Wine Bar, for The Inspiration Café’s Jazz Series, before the Chicago Bulls games at the United Center, and before the Chicago White Sox games at U.S. Cellular Field, which included several National Anthem performances.
Venues that Myles has performed at in or near Milwaukee include Blu at The Pfister Hotel, Trocadero's, the MAC, The Jazz Estate, Moceans, Vitucci's, the Hilton Milwaukee City Center, Angelo's Piano Lounge, The Centennial, at The North Branch Music Festival, Burlington’s Chocolate Fest, before the Milwaukee Bucks games, and has performed live on television for WTMJ 4's "The Morning Blend" morning talk show. He has traveled elsewhere nationally and internationally to perform.
As a musician constantly striving to perform at his best, Myles..."brings new life to the standards of the Sinatra and Nat King Cole era by invoking [his] own unique style representative of a new generation of progressive jazz" (Fort Worth Star Telegram). His..."masculine yet smooth and airy [voice]..." (Fort Worth Weekly), his enthusiastic stage presence, and his care-free charisma personifies the legacy of his jazz predecessors. And just like Sinatra, you'll never forget the first time you hear Myles Hayes.
