Renowned guitarist Dominic Miller to present solo work in Costa Rica show

Dominic Miller, probably more widely known as the guitarist for Sting, will perform in Costa Rica on Oct. 14 in a concert at the Jazz Café Escazú, southwest of the capital.

Miller, who is half Argentine and half British, will be accompanied by keyboardist Michael Lindup. Costa Rican guitarist Carlos Delgado and bassist Nelson Segura will perform as the opening act.

Born in Hurlingham, west of Buenos Aires, Argentina, to a U.S. father and an Irish mother, Miller spent his first 10 years in the South American country before moving with his family to the U.S. state of Wisconsin, and then to London two years later.

He studied guitar at Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music and at London’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Miller has been a sought-after session musician since the late 1980s when he was part of the recording band for Phil Collins’ album “But Seriously.”

His list of collaborations include over 40 musicians and bands such as Level 42, The Pretenders, Tina Turner, Paul Young, Youssou N’Dour, Brian Adams, Rod Stewart, Peter Gabriel, Sheryl Crow, Steve Winwood, Pat Metheny and Luciano Pavarotti.

Recording with Phil Collins helped introduce him to Sting, and in 1991 he was hired by the former lead singer and bassist of The Police to record his second solo album, “The Soul Cages.”

Miller since has been involved in every Sting album and performed over a thousand concerts with him. He has co-written several of Sting’s hit songs, most notably “Shape Of My Heart.”

His solo career began in 1995 with “First Touch,” and so far the guitarist has 11 instrumental albums. His sound as a solo artist combines jazz sounds with world rhythms and electronic music.

Miller’s versatility was evident in 2003 when he recorded the classical album “Shapes” featuring interpretations from Bach, Beethoven, Elgar and Albinoni. Combined global sales surpassed 100,000 and peaked on the UK Albums Chart at No. 38 in June of that year.

Miller recorded his latest album, “Ad hoc,” last year without any demos. At the time he said he wanted to reproduce “the first time you think of an idea or concept” because it is the best it will sound, according to his website. “It’s almost like the first kiss: slightly awkward but truly unforgettable and honest.”

“I had no idea how it would sound until I arrived at the studio with the musicians. Even though we know each other very well I wanted them to feel nervous, even vulnerable, as if they were on a first date,” he wrote on his website.

Tickets are available now at www.specialticket.net or by calling 2528-8778. Prices are ₡32,500 ($60) for a seat and ₡27,500 ($51) for a general standing area.

Watch Dominic Miller on guitar and background vocals in Sting’s “Shape of my heart.”