On his latest effort, Stay Above Water, respected pianist and Minnesota Blues Hall of Fame inductee Scottie Miller continues to mix celebratory, uptempo numbers with introspective, inspiring lyrics. The touring keyboardist for three-time Grammy nominee Ruthie Foster (who lends vocals to the track “Keep This Good Thing Going”), Scottie is a multi-instrumentalist who takes influences ranging from New Orleans R&B to blues and touches of gospel to create fresh, lively tunes that are as intelligent as they are danceable. Produced by Steve Berlin of Los Lobos, Stay Above Water features smart lyrics, fat grooves, and delivery that’s full of heart and soul.
“Minneapolis City Paper writes of the album, “[Miller’s] signature style warps far to the south of his home tundra … his muscular vocals boast grit and firewater.”
B.J. Huchtemann/Columnist, The Reader, Omaha, NE
2015 Recipient, Keeping The Blues Alive for Journalism