Scottie "Bones" Miller - Vocals, Piano, Hammond Organ, Rhodes, Clavinet
John Iden - Bass Guitar
Mark O'Day - Drums, Percussion
Brian "Zoot" Simonds - Saxophone's
Scott Sansby - Percussion
Joe Cruz - Guitar
Special guest appearances by Mark Knoll - Guitar
Influences
Professor Longhair, Pinetop Perkins, Otis Spann, Memphis Slim, Sunnyland Slim, James Booker, Roosevelt Sykes, Amos Milburn, Ray Charles,
Dr. John, John Hiatt, Bonnie Raitt, Little Feat, Greg Allman, Jim Morrison, Jackson Browne, Chick Corea, Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans, Coltrane, Parker, Miles, Chopin, Mozart.
Sounds Like
Scottie Miller and his band perform a wide range of Contemporary New Orleans / Delta / Barrelhouse / Piano Blues, with rich and soulful vocals.
These are the Mighty Mississippi River Blues, from North Minneapolis all the way down to the Gulf, with a stop in the Crescent City.
BUY SCOTT'S CD'S HERE - NEW ALBUM BELOW! All prices include shipping! Click the pictures/banners below to proceed. Scott's CD releases are also available for purchase at:
www.cdbaby.com/scottmiller, and www.scottiemiller.com
Scottie Miller and the Re-Uptake Inhibitors: Elixir for the Soul (2007) $15.00
SCOTTIE MILLER - ELIXIR FOR THE SOUL
This is indeed music for the soul. If there is any question about this singer-songwriter-pianist’s abilities to knock the keys right out of a piano, you may as well put it to rest and go see a show for yourself!
Scottie Miller & The Re-Uptake Inhibitors dig satisfyingly into Southern soul, slow blues and a bit of Latin/Caribbean jazz on their self-released 'Elixir For The Soul', the project is dominated by dramatic ballads and greasy funk. Under the fingers of Minneapolis keyboard ace Miller, the welcome retro sounds of clavinet and Fender Rhodes in addition to piano and Hammond organ, lend varied textures to the Inhibitors' superbad grooves. Sounds like Dr. John meets The Band at Bruce Springsteen's house. - Blues Revue Magazine
“Scottie Miller has a soulful way of writing and delivering a song that will improve your mood and lighten your load. Thus, the new release “Elixir For The Soul,” as the name implies, is almost medicinal.
Helping spread the tonic are his Re-Uptake Inhibitors, who “funkify” and soularize” this gumbo of piano driven blues-soul. This record is a snapshot of fine players working through well-crafted tunes and coming up with a sound and style that, in a fairly crowded niche, is all their own.
“We’ve been playing together since the year 2000, and each of us in the band have seen our share of good and bad times, depression, loss of family and loved one’s, relationship’s gone bad, and to perform and record music that reflects our daily lives is a true blessing. (I’ve also had my experience with seratonin re-uptake inhibitors, hence the name on this release). I believe music is an elixir that can lift you up or cradle you when you’re down,” says Scottie.
“Move On” is a relationship tune that, in its medium funk groove, describes the situation where the fork in the road is to either get past the problem or separate and move on. Lines about “forget about the past” mix with searing horn lines from
Brian “Zoot Simonds” and a solid guitar solo by David Barry (Janet Jackson), that builds volcanically. It starts the disc on a dynamic note.
Miller has a natural feel for gospel music that is not copied or studied but just oozes out on the uplifting “Sweet Babe”, which was nominated as a Top 50 single by City Pages, Minneapolis in 2008. “I’ve always been drawn to Gospel music, and it comes out on each of my recordings.” (“Days of Reckoning” ,“The Other Side).” I guess Gospel sort of found me. I just write what I feel and hope that it relates to other peoples lives in some way”, says Scottie.
With the Twin Cites as home base, Miller studied in Boston at the renowned
Berklee College of Music where he enjoyed a partial Chick Corea scholarship in 1986. He returned to Minnesota to play in a series of blues and R&B bands, including Big John Dickerson and Blue Chamber, and also toured for two months across the USA with the late rock ‘n roll pioneer Bo Diddley in 2006.
In 2005 Scottie was selected to represent The Greater Twin Cities Blues Society at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis where he went on to the Top-5 Finalist category. While on route to Memphis he was fortunate enough to meet John May of BB’s Jazz Blues & Soups in St Louis. After playing there and cultivating an instant batch of new fans, he continues to be invited back to headline shows with The “Inhibitors”. One night during a show at BB’s, legendary pianist Johnnie Johnson came to hear Scottie play. “John May gave me a couple nice cigars and told me to bring them to Johnnie and introduce myself,” Scottie states. “He graciously asked me to sit down and I gave him the cigars, and he was like, alright man, now you’re talkin’!” Scottie and Johnnie sat at the table laughing and reminiscing about his days with Chuck Berry. Johhnie enjoyed Scottie’s set so much he sat in with the band. “He played a version of “Georgia” that had that homogenized-jazz Johnnie Johnson arrangement style I will never forget. It was beautiful. I’ve been playing that song on my gig’s ever since that night,” says Scottie. One month later to the day, Johnnie passed away.
Scottie was then invited to play for Johnnie’s tribute concert at Mississippi Nights, and Jefferson Barracks in St Louis to perform his song “The Other Side”. He was also invited to sit in with Bo Diddley. That started his connection to Bo Diddley, and a year later found himself on the “Bo Diddley & Friends” two-month tour of the USA featuring Alvin Youngblood Hart and Ruthie Foster.” Bo and Scottie shared one evening before a concert on the east coast jamming together; “I was just sitting in one of the green-rooms playing an old upright piano, when Bo came in a started improvising lyrics and singing a bunch of church, chant type stuff. We couldn’t stop, it was such a blast! I think Alvin recorded some of it on his phone. I wish I had that recording,” says Scottie.
Along the way Scottie has met many of his favorite artists; Robert Lockwood Jr, Henry Townsend, Dr. John, Henry Butler. “I feel so blessed to have met so many blues greats and piano icons. Before his passing, Scottie visited with Henry Townsend at his home in St Louis. He asked Scottie to play a tune on his piano, and afterwards told him, “Man...you got nothin’ to worry about.”
Pinetop Perkins himself has come to watch Scottie play at Antone’s in Austin, TX and gave him his blessing after a recent show telling him, “I really like what you’re doing.”
Scottie continues to headline clubs and blues festivals, such as the Big Muddy Blues Fest, Bayfront Blues Festival, Quincy Blues Festival, Praire Dog and Boundary Waters Blues festival’s. He is featured on the “BB’s Presents” blues series filmed by Front Row Music to be featured on PBS syndicates around the world. He performs regularly at the twin-cities’ premier jazz and blues venue, The Dakota Jazz Club.
“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 Houston, TX)
“As a promoter you dream of bands like this. What a treat for everyone! Scottie and the boys left ‘em sweaty and hollering for more.”
Michael Jankovec (Boundary Waters Blues Festival)
Scottie’s previous CD releases; “The Other Side”, “Days of Reckoning” and
“Livin’ Between The Black n’ White”, have garnered much positive press here and overseas, and sold nearly 10,000 units without any formal distribution or record label backing. His “Livin Between The Black n’ White” tribute to piano greats such as Otis Spann, and Roosevelt Sykes was nominated for “Best Self-Produced CD” in 2006 for the Blues Foundation’s “Keeping the Blues Alive” awards. “You were right if you thought I’d like it! It’s great to hear Scottie is keeping up the tradition” - Ann Rabson
In 2008, Scottie was inducted to the Minnesota Blues Hall of Fame for his contributions in Blues Literature for “Rock Keyboards”, published by Hal Leonard Corporation.
Currently, Scottie divides his time between playing solo, fronting
The Re-Uptake Inhibitors, and touring with the “Phenomenal” Ruthie Foster (Blue Corn Records). “I’m touring with Ruthie every couple of months now. She is a shining star and has shown me so much about performance. Reminding me of the light you can give out through music, and how to handle this sometimes crazy business”.
It’s a complete package: Well-written tunes sung with heart and commitment. A band that can handle everything from gut-bucket blues to funk to dynamic soul to elegant jazz. “Elixir For The Soul” shows over and over how music can be, and often is, the best tonic around.” - John Ziegler - Duluth News Tribune - August 2008
The Other Side (2002) $12.00
Days of Reckoning (2004) $15.00
In 2006 Scottie released a solo Piano/Vocal CD titled "Livin' Between The Black 'n White". Unlike his previous original recordings, this was an intent dedication to our piano-blues forefathers, especially Otis Spann.
Livin' Between The Black 'n White (2006) $15.00
Scott was the Featured Local Celebrity on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue Tour featuring Tommy Castro in May '07.
In 2006, Scottie was the keyboardist on a 2-month USA tour with Bo Diddley and Friends - Alvin Youngblood Hart and Ruthie Foster.
Scott was nominated for "Best Self-Produced CD" for "Livin' Between the Black 'n White" - 2006 (IBC/Blues Foundation-Memphis).
Scottie was a Top-5 Solo Finalist at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis TN in 2005 (sponsored by The Blues Foundation).
Published "Rock Keyboards" (Hal Leonard Corporation) in 2003.
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Ciao,SCOTTIE Thank you for the add and the friendship. you are very good, I like your stupendous music a lot, Band, and stupendous voice. compliments ..really. you are one of my prefeitis, I feel great admiration for you, I hope to listen soon to you, in italy .. talk to you soon, and all of my best wishes to always listen to your good music. all the best.. from italy..and good life.. every day neal
Ciao SCOTTIE ,thank you for the add and the friendship. you are very good, I like your stupendous music a lot,and stupendous voice. you are fantastic ..really. you are one of my prefeitis talk to you soon, and all of my best wishes to always listen to your good music. all the best.. from italy neal
Hi everybody, just here to say our new RORY GALLAGHER HAWK BOOSTER is ready for shipping. Have a listen if you get a chance, All the best, Stevie Flynn.
Hello, it's me, Ruby Jane.To those who don't know me, I am a 14 year old fiddler, songwriter. I have some songs posted that are fresh out of the studio. Let me know if you like the new songs..be one of the first to hear, even before they are released!Thanks! new videos too! Ruby Jane
Hey Scottie, what's happening? how's your summer going? hope you're digging the
beautiful weather - we've been grilling out because it's so nice here
in Minneapolis!
We just released a new album Live at the Cabooze recorded in October
08 in Minneapolis, MN. You can get it on iTunes.
Also, check out our Ts and stickers on our online Merch Store
and help support us independent musicians! We're always on the road so
if we're not coming to your city soon let us know and we will! (no
seriously) Peace and love,
Whats going on? Ok so my debut album is coming out on JUNE 30th!!!!!! and I wanted to make sure and remind you to mark your calendars for the day! I'd really really appreciate if you'd pick one up....I promise you'll like it haha. You can get it on iTunes or CDBABY.com WOO!!! Dont be a stranger :)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Scott! So nice to hang out with you and the fellows for a bit Friday - ya'all sounded AMAZING - good for my soul! This next year will be fantastic for you, I can tell :)
We posted a bunch more tracks off of Dreamscape for your listening pleasure. Check them out and then fly over to itunes to pick up the ones you like. And always, thanks for supporting us.
The MN Music Festival Guide is up on www.twincityscene.com . The guide contains links to the bands playing at each one so that you can pick the festival that has the music you like and plan which bands you want to see. Enjoy!
