Overview

Carnival Cocoon is a debut poetry collection by musician Scottie Miller. (Scottie Miller Band and keyboardist for four-time Grammy nominated singer Ruthie Foster.) His poems are arranged into five, distinct and vibrant chapters that revolve around the human condition. Lyrical, free verse, improvisational and beat styles soar with vivid imagery. Miller's kaleidoscopic and musical perspective fill this collection with wondrous and spontaneous prose. This modern-beat-poet writes about interaction with dreams, nature, the spirit world, his disdain for war, greed and the abuse of power. Other chapters reveal sensuality, romance, a risqué sense of humor and autobiographical tales from the musician's life on the road. This collection also empathizes with addiction, recovery, mental illness, and Miller recounts his own experience in those realms. He expresses his frustration with inequality, homelessness, wrongful imprisonment and the divisiveness of the world. From the gum-spotted sidewalks of New York City to the frozen streets of northeast Minneapolis, Miller recites haunting dreamscape. Reminiscing, singing and playing the piano through his words, he brings us on a wild trip into the jazz beehive of Berklee College of Music in Boston. Then, takes rest in the warm, welcoming light of an Irish tavern. Every word expressed with strength, experience and hope. Designed by award winning designer Lynn Phelps and illustrated by actor William Phelps, each of the five chapters feature a deeply emotive, full-color illustration that perfectly convey the vulnerable content. This ambitious body of work reaches even greater heights, as Miller has set 23 of these poems to music and song on the album version of Carnival Cocoon. The compositions, often completely improvised, are set in blues, jazz and experimental styles. Scottie's classical influences are discovered too, with gorgeous string-quintet arrangements. With the spotlight on Miller's voice and his articulate piano playing, both spoken and sung' word take us where the beat poets gather. As if you're listening in on a discussion of the human condition over a coffee (or whiskey) with Tom Waits and Willie Nelson; where Jack Kerouac reads while Steve Allen plays piano. Miller performs with the playful energy of Peanuts composer Vince Guaraldi, then blends his music with a taste of Beethoven. Carnival Cocoon (the album) can be found at scottiemiller.com and on-line music retailers everywhere.

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Reviews

I just had a moment of magic in the LRBC Piano Bar! A deeply soulful musician with a fearless mind and the heart of a hopeless romantic. And oh those magic fingers! That joyful spirit of Jack Kerouac and Steve Allen in one man?! Hallelujah baby! -Peggy Lou - Awake and Willing, WWOZ New Orleans A Twin Cities musical treasure, Scottie Miller-keyboardist, singer, songwriter and bandleader-now adds poet to his list of talents. Drawing on his own life experiences as well as those of the down and out, his words and music elicit feelings of hope amidst adversity. -Carolyn Walkup - Big City Rhythm & Blues Magazine Scottie Miller's latest project is a performance art gumbo of original poetry and music breathed life by his creativity. The poetry has the mellifluous lilt of a songwriter/lyricist while imbuing significant substance born of the adroit observations of a witness/commentator on the path of his life. -John Hammer - Publisher Blue Monday Monthly and Producer/Host of Hammered By The Blues Radio

Author Information

"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. Lynn Phelps, the creative principle at Phelps Design Consulting has been an award winning creative professional for more than 30 years and is well-versed in print publication, iPad Apps, book design, and corporate creative direction. He is a graduate of Minnesota State University Moorhead and has worked as art director for the Minneapolis Star Tribune and the Utne Reader. Lynn also worked as Electronic Media creative director for the Star Tribune's Internet marketing presence, creative director for MSP Communications, and director of New Media for Deluxe Corporation. While at Deluxe, he was responsible for leading the creative and design vision of all Deluxe products to align brand, design, and visual dynamics. Currently, Lynn is the principle of Phelps Design Consulting and art director for the Minnesota Conservation Volunteer magazine. Besides experience with publication design, book design, iPad Apps, and corporate identity systems, Lynn also has over a decade of experience in forming, hiring and managing creative teams. Lynn's capabilities are comprehensive and include leadership, people management, and communication skills. His work has been recognized by AIGA, American Corporate Identity, Communication Arts, The New York Art Directors' Club, Print Regional Design, Society of Publication Designers, and the Minnesota Magazine and Publications Association."

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