Punch Miller

Ernest Miller aka Punch Miller or Kid Punch Miller (June 10, 1894 – December 2, 1971), was a Dixieland jazz trumpeter.

Miller was born in Raceland, Louisiana. He was known in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he was based from 1919 to 1927 when he moved  Chicago. In Chicago he worked with various bands including those of Jelly Roll Morton and Tiny Parham, and appeared on a number of recordings.

His lifestyle and the decline of Dixieland or New Orleans jazz led to his return to mostly doing festivals and falling out of the limelight. This changed with the rising importance of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and he returned to national attention.

He returned to New Orleans, playing at Preservation Hall and leading a band under his own name, in addition to playing with other groups.

In 1963 he did a tour of Japan with George Lewis. He was the subject of the television documentary Til the Butcher Cuts him down.