Will McMillan

Over the past decade Will McMillan has put together one-hour programs of music with jazz pianists Joe Reid and Molly Ruggles featuring songs by — and stories about — the following songwriters.

You can click below for a one-page description of each program.  

— Harold Arlen
— Burt Bacharach
— Irving Berlin
— Sammy Cahn
— Hoagy Carmichael
— Dorothy Fields  
— The Gershwin Brothers
— Oscar Hammerstein
— Yip Harburg
— Lorenz Hart  
— Jerome Kern  
— Frank Loesser
— Johnny Mercer 
— Cole Porter
— Jule Styne 
— Harry Warren  

He has also created one-hour programs of music featuring songs written for:

— Fred Astaire
— Bing Crosby
— Bing Crosby Holiday Show
— Judy Garland
— Judy Garland Holiday Show
— Ethel Merman

He also has one-hour musical programs featuring:  

— Irish-American songs  
— Songs written for Disney movies while Walt was still alive 
— Winter holiday songs by Jewish songwriters

Will would be happy to bring one of his musical programs to your home, synagogue, library, coffee house, retirement community, memory cafe, church, or club.  

Just send him an email via his contact page.

McMillan also performs programs of his original songs with pianists Doug Hammer and Molly Ruggles.

And he led over a hundred sing-alongs on Facebook Live when the Covid-19 pandemic started — which you can find by visiting his FB page and scrolling way down...

Here are some of the things people have shared about Will and Joe:
 

“Joe and Will’s performance was a pure delight.  Will has a beautiful voice, an engaging presence, and he took the time to research and explain interesting back-stories for many of the songs we've loved forever.  Joe and Will and the audience had a great time together, and we left with music dancing in our heads for the rest of the day.”  

— Former Resident and her Daughter, Youville House, Cambridge, MA
 

“I cannot say enough in praise of Will and Joe’s performance.  Audience and staff alike were swept up in their enthusiasm for Harold Arlen's classic songs. We attracted a turnout on the day they performed that is not often seen in our branch library.” 

— Alan Babner, Former Librarian, Brighton Public Library 

“We would love to have you back.  The residents LOVED you.”   

— Jessie Rodrique, Program Director, Newbury Court, Concord, MA 

“Thank you for a fantastic performance Sunday night! I have gotten a lot of positive feedback about you both. Do you have other programs?” 

— Lisa Ramsey, Program Director, Fuller Village, Milton, MA 

"To spend a musical evening with Will and Joe is beyond 'de-lovely!' While they are performing, you are transported to another time.  Will reminds me of Sinatra... he makes you feel as though you are the only one he's singing to, and his phrasing is similar to Sinatra's, making each song a "story" 
to be told.  And to watch Joe enrapt with his keyboard is joyful to behold! 
You come away with a smile on your face and feeling good."

— Liz Bentz, Former Head of Adult Programming, Billerica Public Library

"Once again, the residents loved the performance last night. You guys are the greatest! Let me know when you have another program prepared – we’ll be the first to sign up!”  

— Paula Feldman, Former Activities Director, Maplewood, Weston, MA

“I really, really enjoyed that. Great music. The two of you together are wonderful. Thank you so much." 

— Resident, Youville Place, Lexington, MA