 Miller 's style evolved through playing with a series of major jazz figures . After leaving university he was pianist with the Duke Ellington Orchestra for three years , then accompanied vocalist Betty Carter . Three @-@ year stints with trumpeter Woody Shaw and with drummer Art Blakey 's high profile Jazz Messengers followed , by the end of which Miller had formed his own bands and begun recording under his own name . He was then part of drummer Tony Williams ' quintet from its foundation , while continuing to play and record with numerous other leaders , mostly in small groups . Miller was Director of Jazz Studies at William Paterson University from 2005 , and continued to play and tour internationally with other high profile figures in the music until his death from a stroke at the age of 57 . 
