Born in San Francisco Bay Area, Miller grew up around music, her father a jazz pianist, her mother a percussionist who, eager to explore exotic drumming...
Born in San Francisco Bay Area, Miller grew up around music, her father a jazz pianist, her mother a percussionist who, eager to explore exotic drumming techniques, moved the family to Ghana, West Africa. When Janice was about eleven years old, she discovered Hindi films in the local theaters.
All her life she knew she wanted to sing and after watching "Alibaba and the Forty Thieves" (black & white version) she knew this was exactly what she wanted to sing. Her desire for Indian music was so overwhelming that she would watch the same film over ten times depending on the sound track. She watched films such as "Rama Hare Krishna," "Sangam," and "Yaadon Ki Baraat" which turned out to be her favorite film, songs, and singer. Asha Bhosle was her inspiration. The combination of R. D. Burman and Asha Bhosle absolutely drove her crazy. Her friends couldn't keep up with her addiction to the Indian movies. Throughout her young life, Miller constantly fantasized about singing this music to audiences.
The beauty, fashion, culture, love and family values of these people had a profound sentimental connection to her spirit which up till this day cannot be explained.
She would stop at nothing to get to the theater. Some of her favorites were Hema Malini, Amitabh Bachchan, Neetu Sing and Vinod Khanna. She knew not a single Indian person nor spoke a word of the language. Her motivation was strictly from the films.
She finally met a few Indians in 1989 and was given the opportunity to sing with a local band in Oklahoma City where she resided at the time. Her first songs on stage were "Chura Liya" and "Ey Mere Humsafar" New Year's eve 1989. Ever since, she has been performing all over the world including Canada, England and Pakistan.
In 1992 a few Pakistani friends convinced Janice to sing Noor Jehan's Punjabi songs. This language seemed difficult at first but with her dedication and determination to please her audiences, she discovered Punjabi folk was her specialty. Her repertoire which has steadily built-up over the last twenty years and amounts to over 300 songs. She never imagined in her wildest dreams that she would launch a career singing Indian and Pakistani songs without speaking the languages.
She manages her Asian Soundz group based in Dallas and is considered to be one of the top performers in America. She is currently working on a few musical projects. A tribute album to the legendary Madam Noor Jehan western style and a special English/urdu, Indian R&B Album titled "Sentimental Moments" which may create a new trend in Desi music.
Since there was great success performing in languages other than her own, Miller decided to start performing in the 2 Ghanaian languages which she actually speaks fluently. The first one is by a renowned vocalist Kojo Antwi titled "Emeribi Be Ba" Currently her biggest work yet is in progress, A song titled "Naked" an American composition by Janice Miller. Get ready guys, It's going to be a lot of fun!!!
For bookings call (214) 348 - 5690 after 2:00 p.m., especially on week days.