Dominic Miller
The ECM Records artist and Sting's longtime guitarist takes a seat in the Spotlight.
Today, the Spotlight shines On guitarist Dominic Miller, a musician unique in his ability to fit in and contribute as a sideman, but also to step up as a band leader.
Dominic may be best known as guitarist — and in his own words, “Lieutenant” — for Sting, a position he has filled for over 30 years, but he has been creating his own diverse body of work for many decades as well.
Dominic joined Spotlight On to talk about his latest release on ECM Records, Vagabond, an instrumental album rich in narrative — and subtle taste. In addition to exploring the new album, we also get great insight into how Dominic’s work as a solo artist and session musician contributes to his work with Sting and more about his aspirations and aims as an artist.
Enjoy!
------------------
References:
- Listen to Dominic Miller's ECM Records album Vagabond
- Check out the poem by John Masefiled, from which Vagabond takes its name
- The Musical DNA Of Dominic Miller
- “If I didn’t make solo albums, I wouldn’t be useful to Sting.”
- Learn more about Dominic Miller, Spotlight On host Lawrence Peryer or visit the podcast’s website.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dominic Miller
Musician
Born in Argentina to an American father and Irish mother, Dominic Miller was raised in the U.S. from age 10 and then educated there and in England. The guitarist’s international mindset has only been deepened through decades touring the globe, working with the likes of Paul Simon, The Chieftains, Plácido Domingo and, most often, Sting. Miller has long been known as the latter’s right-hand man on guitar – and co-writer of “Shape of My Heart,” among others. “I’ve been influenced by Sting’s lateral sense of harmony and how he forms songs,” the guitarist says. “I try to do the same by creating a narrative with instrumental music, which I treat and arrange as songs, with verses, choruses, bridges. I’ve absorbed a lot from him about concept and arrangement, as well concision in telling a story.”
With Vagabond, Swedish pianist Jacob Karlzon makes his ECM debut. He has performed alongside the likes of Kenny Wheeler, Norma Winstone and Billy Cobham, though his main current musical outlet is his piano trio with bassist Morten Ramsbøl and drummer Rasmus Kihlberg, with which he has released two studio albums.
Over the past two decades Ziv Rvitz has established himself as one of the most prominent jazz drummers of his generation, performing and recording alongside Shai Maestro, Oded Tzur and most recently Lionel Loueke. He has appeared on ECM as part of Avisahi Cohen’s groups on Big Vicious and Naked Truth.
A much sought-after jazz bassist who initially studied jazz guitar under Philippe Catherine, Nicolas Fiszman has played with everyone from Sting and Char… Read More
Greatest Hits
Wondering where to start or where to go next? Check out some of our most-listened-to episodes.
Andy McCluskey: kicking down fascist art with OMD
The Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark frontman chats about art movements, political treachery, Kraftwerk's impact, and the brilliant album Bauhaus Staircase.
David J: unearthing tracks from the attic
The Bauhaus and Love and Rockets bassist chats with guest host Michael Donaldson about lighting candles, the magic(k) muse, touring with Jane's Addiction, and the album collecting his early demos, Tracks From The Attic.
Hainbach: crafting soundscapes from forgotten relics
Experimental musician, YouTube personality, and excavator of rare, electronic sound-making artifacts — Hainbach delivers a fascinating look into his prolific musical activities.
Ibrahim Maalouf: a conversation on harmony, heritage, and hope
The trumpet virtuoso talks about his father's inspiration, the Middle East's influence on symphonic music, how Bach and Mozart were punks, and the ideas behind his album Capacity To Love.
That Petrol Emotion
Today, the spotlight shines on the wildly influential post-punk group, That Petrol Emotion. Guitarist and songwriter Raymond Gorman and lead singer Steve Mack joined Spotlight On host Lawrence Peryer to mark the release of th...
David Rodriguez talks community, culture, and his work with NJPAC
With the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, David creates musical milestones in Newark, NJ, and beyond.
Diana Pasulka: a religious study of UFOs and nonhuman intelligences
With her books Encounters and American Cosmic, religious studies professor Diana Pasulka explores the modern edges of belief.
Dominic Miller
The ECM Records artist and Sting's longtime guitarist takes a seat in the Spotlight.
Michael Kuelker on The Ozark Mountain Daredevils
Today, the spotlight shines on author and educator Michael Kuelker, here to talk about his recent book, The Ozark Mountain Daredevils On Record: A Narrative Discography . Michae is a teacher, writer, and reggae radio DJ in St...
John Barry on Levon Helm
Writer John Barry joins us on the podcast to talk his new book, "Levon Helm: Rock, Roll & Ramble—The Inside Story of the Man, the Music and the Midnight Ramble." Ringo wrote the foreword, and Roger Waters, Graham Nash and …
Steve Kimock
Steve Kimock talking about the new Zero reissue of “Naught Again” and finding the Grateful Dead scene
Nick Mason
Nicholas Berkeley Mason, CBE (born 27 January 1944) is an English drummer and founding member of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd. He is the only member to feature on every Pink Floyd album, and the only constant member s...
Grahame Lesh
Based in the musical hotbed of Marin County, California, Grahame Lesh is a guitar player and singer-songwriter for Midnight North, Phil Lesh & Friends, & the Terrapin Family Band. A mainstay in the scene centered around Terra...