At the Classical Brit Awards

Dom goes down a 'strum'

A world class guitarist with Ulster connections will be in good 'Shape' tonight, at the top telly show for classical music talent. For Dominic Miller is starring at the Classical BRITS Awards show - with the help of the superstar he usually plays sidekick to... Sting!

The 43-year-old, who releases his new solo album, Shapes, tomorrow, has played in front of millions, during his 14 years as Sting's leading guitar man. But for Dominic - whose mum, Diana, was raised in Belfast - nothing has been as frightening as performing at the Classical BRITS.

He admitted: "It was the most nerve-wracking thing I have ever done - playing in the Royal Albert Hall, with the English Chamber Orchestra. I was nervous about it because I am from the rock and pop world, and I was going into the classical arena, and playing their tunes."

Lending moral and musical support for the occasion was Sting, who made a guest appearance, to sing their co-written song, Shape Of My Heart.

Argentina-born Dominic said: "He is a real sport to do that. He is a real gentleman, and a good geezer."

It was the ex-Police man who inspired Dominic's album - which contains inspired guitar interpretations of classical pieces - after giving him a book of Bach music.

He added: "I am excited at the prospect of seeing what develops with this. But I am going to stay with the day job."

And Dominic gave Sunday Life a sneak preview of what to expect from Sting's new album, Sacred Love, out in the autumn.

"It's a great record. I actually think it is his best record yet - the energy level, the songwriting, and the way he is singing, and using words, within the melodies. He is taking a few chances, like doing some Arabic-tinged music, and the album is also quite rocky."

Guitar virtuoso, Dominic Miller, has a string of reasons to feel at home in Northern Ireland. But the number one reason to love Ulster is his mum!

Dominic has a multi-cultural background - born and raised in Argentina, teenage years spent in the USA, and then adult life in London. But it is his mother, Diana Hynes, who makes him see Ulster as a spiritual home from home.

He explained: "My mum was born in Ennis, Co Clare, but she was brought up in Belfast. Her dad, my grandfather, was a great man, who served in the two World Wars. Mum went to Cambridge University, and became a kind of debutante girl. She met my dad, an American called Barney Miller, there. They got married, and went to live in Argentina. I finally made it to Belfast, when Sting's Brand New Day world tour played here, in 2000. I remember it particularly well. It was in a small theatre (the Waterfront Hall), instead of the big venues we usually play in. And it also happened to be my birthday - March 21."

The dad-of-four added: "I had never been to Belfast before. But I felt a strong affinity with the place, because my mother and grandfather had lived there. It really meant something to me.

"I really would like to hang out there, sometime in the future. Hopefully, it will happen. I wouldn't even need a work excuse to go there. I just want to come to Belfast again."

© Sunday Life | June 2003

Back to Press Index Page
 

© dominicmiller.com 2004-2008