by David R. AdlerPianist/keyboardist Andy Milne is one of the most talented musicians to emerge from the M-Base Collective. With his band Cosmic Dapp Theory, Milne blends highly advanced jazz sensibilities with streetwise funk and a substantial dose of social and spiritual commentary. His ambitious, high-energy music strives to reach well beyond the traditional jazz audience. A native of Canada, Milne studied music at York University and later at the Banff Centre for Fine Arts, where he met and impressed alto saxophonist and M-Base creator Steve Coleman. In 1992 he joined Colemans group, Five Elements, and remained until 1997, working on several of Colemans other projects along the way, eventually appearing on ten of his albums. Meanwhile, Milne began his own career as a leader. He released The E Is Silent on cassette in 1995 and began to tour with his own group. His debut CD, Forward to Get Back, appeared in 1997. In 1998 he formed his current group, Cosmic Dapp Theory, which released New Age of Aquarius a year later on Milnes own Controlology label. The CD garnered widespread critical acclaim and secured the group a two-night stand at the 2000 Montreal Jazz Festival. In addition to his work with Cosmic Dapp Theory, Milne handles sideman duties with artists such as Ravi Coltrane, Carla Cook, and Carlos Ward. He also teaches extensively and serves as his own manager.