Scottie Miller

Born in Minneapolis, Scottie Miller began piano studies at age six, the start of a long and vibrant career in music and the arts. He is first and foremost a pianist and songwriter. He is best known in the blues and roots realm, though he marches bravely through everything from jazz to rock, classical to Americana, gospel to funk. He's always had a natural affinity for New Orleans music. "His playing is swampy and soulful, and his voice boasts grit and firewater." (Rick Mason, City Pages). From...See more

Born in Minneapolis, Scottie Miller began piano studies at age six, the start of a long and vibrant career in music and the arts. He is first and foremost a pianist and songwriter. He is best known in the blues and roots realm, though he marches bravely through everything from jazz to rock, classical to Americana, gospel to funk. He's always had a natural affinity for New Orleans music. "His playing is swampy and soulful, and his voice boasts grit and firewater." (Rick Mason, City Pages). From a lifetime spent on the road, on the stage and in the recording studio, his lyrics convey a cathartic approach to writing. "If you can tell me how you do it, maybe I can find a better way to cope." Scottie has toured with Rock & Roll Hall of Fame legend Bo Diddley, has been published by Hal Leonard, has been inducted three times into the Minnesota Blues Hall of Fame and released 11 self-produced albums. He leads his own Scottie Miller Band, and tours with four-time Grammy nominated singer Ruthie Foster. He co-wrote the title track of Foster's 2022 release "Healing Time" and others. They have performed at iconic venues such as Carnegie Hall and Austin City Limits. He penned the song "I Was Called" (cowritten with Foster) on the album "Almost Home", by six-time Grammy Award-winning gospel group The Blind Boys of Alabama. Miller's poetry ability was nurtured by his literature teacher during his time attending Berklee College of Music in 1986 and has been hidden like buried diamonds beneath his song lyrics over the years. Scottie chose these selections himself, and this collection reveals a lifetime of imagery through his own kaleidoscopic view. Scottie was inspired to improvise on the piano while he recited these poems, allowing the words to shape the music organically. The result is contained on the triumphant album version of Carnival Cocoon, which features 23 poems from this book set to his original music. He conveys his spoken and sung word with jazz-beat, folk and blues composition while lush, classically tinged string quintet arrangements surround his shining piano and vocals. Scottie is an active, passionate member of the Twin Cities recovery community. He works with other recovering addicts and alcoholics, and shares his experience, strength and hope through his music, poetry and live performance. See less