Milo Fine

Born : January 22, 1952 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Fine's lifework in free jazz/improvised music began in 1969. He has played drums since 1961 (informal studies with Elliot Fine); piano since 1966 (studies with James Allen 1966-67); B Flat clarinet since 1974; alto clarinet since 1992; and E flat clarinet since 2002. (He also played bass clarinet from 1989-1997.) His initial contact with the marimba was in 1959, and he returned to it in 1990. In 1980, Fine invented the m-drums, a percussion kit made up of “found objects”, broken cymbals, and the like attached to a practice pad set. In 1987 this kit evolved into the m-drums II, which incorporates low tech electronics; that, in turn, he also utilizes with the B flat clarinet, marimba, and electronic piano.