Hazel Miller

Hazel Miller is an American blues, pop and gospel singer. Originally from Kentucky, she has performed in the Denver, Colorado area since 1984.

Miller singing The Star-Spangled Banner at Mile-High Stadium in 2014.

Early life

Miller was born in Louisville, Kentucky as one of seven children. She began singing professionally at the age of 15 and featured prominently in the Louisville music scene. She sang backup for Al Green, and opened for Mel Tormé and Lou Rawls. Her band was the first African American band to play regularly at the Louisville Hyatt Hotel.[1]

Career

In 1984, while relocating to Los Angeles with her two children, Miller's rental truck broke down in Denver, and she decided to stay.[2] Since then, she has performed in Colorado and beyond. A review in the Rocky Mountain News called her ‘a force of nature’, and her voice has been called ‘stunning, moving and powerful.’[2] She played at the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater near Denver, at the White House for then President Bill Clinton, and for the Denver Broncos after their 1998 Super Bowl win.[1] Miller has toured with the military five times, including playing at Iwo Jima.[3] She has been a regular performer on the ETown Radio Show, airing on NPR's national affiliate stations. Her recorded voice greets visitors taking the trains to the main terminal at Denver International Airport.[2]

In 2008 she launched Hazel Miller Entertainment and became a booking agent.[4] She has sung with or opened for Julian Lennon, Peter, Paul & Mary, Charlie Musselwhite, James Taylor, James Brown, the Temptations, and many others.[2][5] In addition, she toured for five years with Big Head Todd and the Monsters, and has performed at major jazz and music festivals throughout Colorado.[6]

Discography

Albums

  • 1995: Hazel Miller and the Caucasians (Live at the Fox)
  • 2001: I'm Still Looking (USA 1 Stop label)
  • 2001: Live at the Fox (Hapi Skratch Records label)
  • 2006: Icons (Hazel Miller label)[7][8]

Contributions

  • 1995: KBCO Studio C Vol. 5
  • 2004: KBCO Studio C Local Edition
  • 2014 Blues Master 3[9][2]

Awards
  • 1995, 1996, 1997: Westwood Readers Poll Best Blues/R&B band
  • 2002: National Independent Music Award for Best Independent Blues-R&B Recording
  • 2008: Recognized as one of the 150 people who make Denver a better place to live
  • Local award for "Best Local Star in a Theatrical Production", for her appearance in a Colorado production of The Vagina Monologues[2]

References
  1. "Miller, Hazel · Notable Kentucky African Americans Database". nkaa.uky.edu. Retrieved 2019-09-21.
  2. "THOUGHTS & PRAYERS: Hazel Miller Suffers Heart Attack - Fundraiser Set Up // Hazel Sends a "Thank You" Note". COMBO - The Colorado Music Business Organization. 2017-04-06. Retrieved 2019-09-21.
  3. Husted, Bill (November 9, 2010). "Miller To Pipe Up for Veterans in Vocal Marathon". The Denver Post.
  4. "Boulder Music Scene: Changing of the Guard". Colorado Daily. September 17, 2008.
  5. Posted by Michael Limnios Blues Network on January 8, 2013 at 10:05pm; Blog, View. "An Interview with singer Hazel Miller: When I sing the blues I am healing a hurt that goes to my soul". blues.gr. Retrieved 2019-09-21.
  6. "Hazel Miller Band – Northglenn Arts". Retrieved 2019-09-21.
  7. ♫ Hazel Miller and the Caucasians (Live at the Fox) - Hazel Miller. Listen @cdbaby, retrieved 2019-09-21
  8. "Hazel Miller | Album Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2019-09-21.
  9. "Hazel Miller discography". RateYourMusic. Retrieved 2019-09-21.
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