Cecil Scott
Encyclopedia
Cecil Scott was an American jazz
clarinetist, tenor saxophonist, and bandleader.
Scott played as a teenager with his brother, drummer Lloyd Scott
. They played together as co-leaders through the end of the 1920s, holding residencies in Ohio, Pittsburgh, and in New York City
at the Savoy Ballroom
. Among the members of this ensemble were Dicky Wells
, Frankie Newton, Bill Coleman
, Roy Eldridge
, Johnny Hodges
, and Chu Berry. Cecil took full control over the group in 1929, though Lloyd continued to manage the group.
Scott was hurt badly in an accident in the early 1930s, and his career was temporarily sidelined. After his recovery he played with Ellsworth Reynolds in 1932-33 and then with Teddy Hill
(from 1936), Clarence Williams, and Teddy Wilson
(1936-37); in the latter gig he accompanied Billie Holiday
. In the early 1940s he played with Alberto Socarras
, Red Allen
, Willie "The Lion" Smith before assembling his own band in 1942, which at times included Hot Lips Page and Art Hodes
. He also played with Slim Gaillard
later in the 1940s.
In 1950 he disbanded the group, and worked with Jimmy McPartland
as a sideman. He occasionally led groups and continued to play as a sideman up until the time of his death in 1964. He is credited on some 75 albums.
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
clarinetist, tenor saxophonist, and bandleader.
Scott played as a teenager with his brother, drummer Lloyd Scott
Lloyd Scott (musician)
Lloyd Scott was an American jazz drummer and bandleader.In the 1920s Lloyd and his brother Cecil Scott co-led an ensemble which initially played locally in Ohio, then moved on to play in Pittsburgh and then Harlem...
. They played together as co-leaders through the end of the 1920s, holding residencies in Ohio, Pittsburgh, and in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
at the Savoy Ballroom
Savoy Ballroom
The Savoy Ballroom, located in Harlem, New York City, was a medium sized ballroom for music and public dancing that was in operation from March 12, 1926 to July 10, 1958. It was located between 140th and 141st Streets on Lenox Avenue....
. Among the members of this ensemble were Dicky Wells
Dicky Wells
William Wells, , more famous under the name of Dicky Wells , was an American jazz trombonist....
, Frankie Newton, Bill Coleman
Bill Coleman
William Johnson Coleman was a jazz trumpeter from the swing era.He had his musical debut in 1927. Coleman's first recordings were with the Luis Russell orchestra, but all solos on record went to the rising star Henry "Red" Allen. This led to Bill Coleman's departure from the band. By 1935 he...
, Roy Eldridge
Roy Eldridge
Roy David Eldridge , nicknamed "Little Jazz" was an American jazz trumpet player. His sophisticated use of harmony, including the use of tritone substitutions, his virtuosic solos and his strong influence on Dizzy Gillespie mark him as one of the most exciting musicians of the swing era and a...
, Johnny Hodges
Johnny Hodges
John Cornelius "Johnny" Hodges was an American alto saxophonist, best known for his solo work with Duke Ellington's big band. He played lead alto in the saxophone section for many years, except the period between 1932–1946 when Otto Hardwick generally played first chair...
, and Chu Berry. Cecil took full control over the group in 1929, though Lloyd continued to manage the group.
Scott was hurt badly in an accident in the early 1930s, and his career was temporarily sidelined. After his recovery he played with Ellsworth Reynolds in 1932-33 and then with Teddy Hill
Teddy Hill
Teddy Hill was a big band leader and the manager of Minton's Playhouse, a seminal jazz club in Harlem...
(from 1936), Clarence Williams, and Teddy Wilson
Teddy Wilson
Theodore Shaw "Teddy" Wilson was an American jazz pianist whose sophisticated and elegant style was featured on the records of many of the biggest names in jazz, including Louis Armstrong, Lena Horne, Benny Goodman, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald.-Biography:Wilson was born in Austin, Texas in...
(1936-37); in the latter gig he accompanied Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday was an American jazz singer and songwriter. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and musical partner Lester Young, Holiday had a seminal influence on jazz and pop singing...
. In the early 1940s he played with Alberto Socarras
Alberto Socarras
Alberto Socarrás Estacio, , was a Cuban-American flautist who played both Cuban music and jazz....
, Red Allen
Red Allen
Henry James "Red" Allen was a jazz trumpeter and vocalist whose style has been claimed to be the first to fully incorporate the innovations of Louis Armstrong.-Life and career:...
, Willie "The Lion" Smith before assembling his own band in 1942, which at times included Hot Lips Page and Art Hodes
Art Hodes
Arthur W. Hodes , known professionally as Art Hodes, was an American jazz pianist.-Biography:...
. He also played with Slim Gaillard
Slim Gaillard
Bulee "Slim" Gaillard was an American jazz singer, songwriter, pianist, and guitarist, noted for his vocalese singing and word play in a language he called "Vout"...
later in the 1940s.
In 1950 he disbanded the group, and worked with Jimmy McPartland
Jimmy McPartland
James Dugald McPartland , better known as Jimmy McPartland, was an American cornetist and one of the originators of Chicago Jazz...
as a sideman. He occasionally led groups and continued to play as a sideman up until the time of his death in 1964. He is credited on some 75 albums.