Scottie Miller is Making a Scene

August 17, 2023

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Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Scottie Miller

Singer-songwriter-pianist Scottie Miller has toured with Rock & Roll Hall of Fame legend Bo Diddley, has been published by Hal Leonard and inducted three times into The Minnesota Blues Hall of Fame. He has released 11 self-produced albums and most recently a Poetry Collection, Carnival Cocoon. In addition to his solo career, he tours with four-time Grammy nominated singer Ruthie Foster, performing at venues from Carnegie Hall to Austin City Limits. His songs have been recorded by Foster and The Blind Boys of Alabama.

Born in Minneapolis, Scottie Miller began piano lessons 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.

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 has released 11 self-produced albums. He leads the Scottie Miller Band and tours with four-time Grammy-nominated singer Ruthie Foster. They have appeared 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.

His 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.

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