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2005-09-17
7:30PM
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THIS SHOW IS PRODUCED IN ASSOCIATION WITH JILL NEWMAN PRODUCTIONS
"Perhaps the most unjustly ignored American singer of the 20th century."
- New York Times Magazine |
[ Complete Show Schedule... ] |
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| Jimmy Scott & The Jazz Expressions 80th Birthday Celebration |
FEATURING:
Jimmy Scott - vocals
"The Jazz Expressions"
Hillard "Hill" Greene - musical director, bass
Aaron Graves - piano
T.K. Blue - flute, saxophone
Dwayne "Cook" Broadnax - drums |
JIMMY SCOTT's unique way with songs, which cuts to the emotional core of lyrics with its subtly delayed timing, carefully clipped syllables, and ringing sustains, has inspired numerous other singers for half a century. Nancy Wilson and Frankie Valli borrowed elements of Scott's style in the Sixties, while Lou Reed and Madonna have championed his singing in recent times. "He is without a doubt the master of the ballad form," Wilson once stated. Ray Charles, another Scott fan, has said that "he defined what 'soul' is all about in singing long before anyone was using the word."
Scott's immense talent did not sheild him from hardships that marred his personal life and singing career. He suffered from a rare hereditary condition called Kallmann's Syndrome that prevented him from experiencing puberty, such that he stopped growing when he was less than five feet tall and his voice never changed from a boy soprano's. Even when he began singing professionaly in the 1940's, poor management and bad contracts kept Scott from becoming a household name and halted his career significantly.
Despite his difficulties behind the scenes, Scott was "rediscovered" and has continued to create incredbile music since the early 90's. In 2000, he moved to Milestone Records, and "Mood Indigo" reached number 17 in the jazz charts. Despite passing his 75th birthday, he continued to record frequently, releasing Over the Rainbow in 2001, But Beautiful in 2002, and Moon Glow in 2003. All of Me: Live in Tokyo appeared in 2004. In 2001, the film "If Only You Knew" was released, depicting the triumphs and tragedies of Jimmy Scott's life. |
