Scottie Miller, (also known as Scottie “Bones” Miller) is an American pianist and singer-songwriter born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His musical style is a combination of blues, soul, funk and jazz. “Sounds like Dr. John meets The Band at Bruce Springsteen’s house. Highly recommended.” Tom Hyslop - Blues Revue Magazine. (Quite the comparison, and he backs it up with high energy performance, creative song writing, dramatic lyrics and impeccable piano playing.)

He performs worldwide as a solo-artist, or with the incredibly funky “SMB” (Scottie Miller Band), (which features drummer Mark O’Day, guitarist Joe Cruz, and bassist Kevin Rowe).

Recent theater performances find Scottie adding string quartet to the mix, further breaking the boundaries of style and genre. This ”blues-pianist” shows again and again how versatile his

music can be with blues, jazz, classical, funk and soul influences that blend together seamlessly.

Scottie is also the touring keyboardist for 2010 Grammy nominee and multi-BMA recipient Ruthie Foster & The Family Band. He appears on her "Live At Antone's"-Ruthie Foster Family Band. “DVD Of The Year” (2012 Blues Music Awards (BMA’s)).

In 2008, he was inducted in to the Minnesota Blues Hall of Fame for his contributions to blues music and heritage with his instructional book and CD titled;
“Rock Keyboards” published by Hal Leonard Corporation

His most recent releases include: "LIVE"-Scottie Miller Band (2010 CD). “HOME - A House Concert with Scottie Miller" (2011 DVD), and the exciting new CD “RISE UP” - Scottie Miller Band (9/2012).


Discography:

“The Other Side” - 2002
“Days of Reckoning” - 2004
“Livin’ Between The Black ‘n White” - 2006
“Elixir For The Soul” - 2008
“LIVE” - 2010
“HOME - A House Concert with Scottie Miller” - DVD 2011
“Rise Up” - 2012

Here’s a little of my history...

I grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I began taking piano lessons at age 6, along with my sister. My mom was very musical and was a gifted piano player and singer. I started with the traditional and classical, then progressed in to Jazz piano studies when I was 14. After graduating Wayzata High School I attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA., on a partial “Chick Corea Jazz Incentive Scholarship”(1986-1987). I could only afford one year of college there, but it was one of the best year’s of my life. My teacher there; Mr. Craig Najjar, pushed me through all (4) years of proficiency requirements and had me transcribing piano and Saxophone solo’s from the likes George Shearing, Chick Corea, Bill Evans, & Charlie Parker. I would attain these great recordings at the incredible Berklee music library. Then it was off to the practice room’s with my “walkman”, pencil, and manuscript paper.

After Berklee, I returned home to Minneapolis and began touring, writing and recording with various original band’s.

In 1996 I joined forces with blues singer; “Big John Dickerson & Blue Chamber”. We recorded “Arms Of The Blues” - (Cannonball Records, produced by Jim Gaines), and toured world-wide until I decided to start my own project again in 2001.

In 2001 I recorded “The Other Side - Scott Miller” with my new band. We have been actively performing and recording ever since. We have released seven CD’s and one DVD. We are currently promoting our brand new cd “Rise Up” (September 2012), which was partially funded by our awesome fans through a kickstarter campaign.

Thank you for visiting!

Scottie ‘Bones ~


“The 411 in 15”: Scottie “Bones” Miller (An interview with Jimi Patricola - Blues411)

Scottie – how did you wind up playing with Ruthie Foster Band?

- I met Ruthie while I was touring as Bo Diddley’s keyboardist. Ruthie came and played The Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis (my home town), shortly after that tour and she asked me to join them. I did 4 shows there and it’s been 4 years now I’ve been Ruthie’s touring keyboardist. I’m writing to you now from Odense, Denmark with Ruthie and the gang. Waiting to play a show at “Posten” with Ruthie, and Ronnie Baker Brooks.


Tell me more about ‘back in the day’ when you played with these/this classic artist(s).

- After my year at Berklee College of Music in 86′, I played- toured and recorded with various original projects. Around 98′ I joined Big John Dickerson and Blue Chamber. We toured Europe constantly and the east coast-southern USA blues circuit. We recorded an album together called “Arms of the Blues”; (Cannonball Records), produced by Jim Gaines. (I wrote and co-wrote 3 songs on that album; “How Long Til’ You’re Gone”; “When The Sun Goes Down”, and “When I’m Gone - co-written with guitarist Paul Mayasich). We had some really good times in that band, sometimes “too good”! I was exposed to a lot of great music while hanging with those guys.

In 2001 I went back to my own project, formed a new band and recorded “The Other Side”. 4 CD’s and 1 DVD later I met (keyboard legend) Johnnie Johnson in St Louis who was invited to see my gig at BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups. That led me to meeting with Henry Townsend, Robert Lockwood Jr and ultimately touring with Bo Diddley, (which again, led me to Ruthie!) All these connections are thanks to my friend and current owner of BB’s in St Louis; John May. He booked me a solo gig at BB’s on my way driving down to play the IBC finals in Memphis back in 06′. I’ve been playing there ever since with “Scottie Miller Band”. BB’s is one of my favorite venues world-wide.

Your live release seems to have resonated with the Blues audience – I think it captures your stage presence and feel for what you do live really well.

- That’s the first “live” recording I’ve ever “released”. I’m happy if people are digging it. We recorded it at Famous Dave’s, in the twin-cities. I’ve recorded previous CD’s “live in studio” and it’s preferable to the more “overdubbed”, “produced” process for me. “LIVE” at a venue was even more rewarding. It was fun mixing, because everything is already there. You have this big blanket of sound from the room, and then the individual instruments and tracks from each of the guys.

The CD features my band of the past 13 years. With Mark O’Day on drums, John Iden on Bass, Brian “Zoot” Simonds on Sax, Scottie Sansby on percussion and Joe Cruz on guitar, dobro and mandolin. It’s a true blessing working with such talented players. They are each versatile in blues, funk, jazz and soul. This is helpful with the variety of music and grooves I like to explore with my songwriting. Everything from piano blues, to caribbean-Spanish and Latin tinged jazz, to gospel influenced ballads, New Orleans funk and some road-house blues. That’s what you’ll hear on each of my recordings including “LIVE”.

-I have enjoyed splitting my time between my own band and with Ruthie Foster the past 4 years. I feel fortunate and truly grateful for the opportunity to play music in this world. I will return to Australia for my 2nd solo-tour this coming January, and hope to elevate things in 2012 with my 7th CD release.

General Info:

Artist Name: Scottie Miller
Band Members:
Mark O’Day - Drums
Joe Cruz - Guitar/Mandolin
Kevin Rowe - Bass

Special guests:

Brian “Zoot” Simonds - Saxophone
Margaret Humphrey - Violin
Nick Salisbury - Bass
Scottie Sansby - Percussion


Active Since: 12/99
Genres: Blues / Funk / Jazz

Contact Info: http://scottiemiller.com

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Similar Artists: Jackson Browne, Leon Russell, Boz Scaggs, John Hiatt, Bruce Springsteen, Ray Charles, Dr. John.


Press:

“LIVE”:
“Scottie Miller band submits ten new songs, each one a soulful classic, with emotionally charged rock, slightly countrified ballads, and rowdy, slide guitar blasts. Though there’s a touch of Tom Waits to the hip “East St. Louis,” Miller most often comes on like a Dr. John from the other end of the Mississippi.”
- Blues Revue Magazine 2010

“Elixir For The Soul”:
“Sounds like Dr. John meets The Band at Bruce Spingsteen’s house. Highly recommended.”
Tom Hyslop - Blues Revue Magazine 2009

“...Miller is a capable singer and tunesmith, with a well-paced live show that moves seamlessly through a variety of moods and funky grooves.”
- Dean Minderman - Riverfront Times - St Louis

“Scottie Miller is a world class lyricist with working class sensibilities. He sings from the heart with old school soul and plays the funkiest New Orleans piano this side of Dr. John. This cat’s got the goods!”
- The Blues Hound, (KPFT FM Houston, TX)


Scottie Miller, (also known as Scottie “Bones” Miller) is an American pianist and singer-songwriter born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His musical style is a combination of blues, soul, funk and jazz. “Sounds like Dr. John meets The Band at Bruce Springsteen’s house. Highly recommended.” Tom Hyslop - Blues Revue Magazine. (Quite the comparison, and he backs it up with high energy performance, creative song writing, dramatic lyrics and impeccable piano playing.)

He performs worldwide as a solo-artist, or with the incredibly funky “SMB” (Scottie Miller Band), (which features drummer Mark O’Day, guitarist Joe Cruz, and bassist Kevin Rowe).

Recent theater performances find Scottie adding string quartet to the mix, further breaking the boundaries of style and genre. This ”blues-pianist” shows again and again how versatile his music can be with blues, jazz, classical, funk and soul influences that blend together seamlessly.

Scottie is also the touring keyboardist for 2010 Grammy nominee and multi-BMA recipient Ruthie Foster & The Family Band. He appears on her "Live At Antone's"-Ruthie Foster Family Band. “DVD Of The Year” (2012 Blues Music Awards (BMA’s)).

In 2008, he was inducted in to the Minnesota Blues Hall of Fame for his contributions to blues music and heritage with his instructional book and CD titled; “Rock Keyboards” published by Hal Leonard Corporation

His most recent releases include: "LIVE"-Scottie Miller Band (2010 CD). “HOME - A House Concert with Scottie Miller" (2011 DVD), and the exciting new CD “RISE UP” - Scottie Miller Band (9/2012).
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