Andrew Scott (Canadian jazz guitarist)
 | This biography of a living person includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (January 2012) |
Andrew Scott | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Andrew Jacob Scott |
| Origin | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation | Guitarist |
| Instrument | Guitar |
Dr. Andrew Jacob Scott is a Toronto based jazz guitarist. He has released two recordings on the Sackville Records label: This One's for Barney and Blue Mercer. Both recordings have received critical acclaim and extensive airplay on Canadian and International radio.
Scott is the Managing Editor of CODA, "Canada's Jazz Magazine since 1958".
Collaborations
Scott has performed/recorded as a guitarist with Bob James, Mike Murley, Warren Hill, Jeff Golub, Randy Sandke, Perry White, Harry Allen, Bernie Senensky, Terry Clarke, Phil Stewart, Don Thompson, Marvin Stamm, Bob Moses, Duncan Hopkins, Terry Lukiwski, Merl Saunders, Phil Dwyer, Jake Wilkinson, William Carn, Terry Promane, Steve McDade, One Step Beyond, Andrew Downing, Tony Trishka, Mark Kelso, Jim Hillman, Will Jarvis, Steve Lucas, Dave Restivo, Ted Warren, Kieran Overs, Rik Emmett, Mike Reno (of Loverboy), Greg Keelor (Blue Rodeo), Moe Berg (The Pursuit of Happiness), Alfie Zappacosta, Carol Welsman, Eddie Bullen, Liberty Silver, Brian Hughes, Demo Cates, Marc Jordan, Four80East, Alexander Zonjic and Vassar Clemens.
Scott is also the co-leader (with Jim Clayton), guitarist and composer for The Clayton/Scott Group. The band won Group of the Year, 2005 and 2006 at the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards and Best Jazz Recording, 2004 Canadian Urban Music Awards. The Clayton/Scott Group was nominated for "Best Electric Group" at the National Jazz Awards in 2005.
Academics
Scott is a graduate of the Humber College jazz program. He earned a Master's degree in Historical Musicology at the New England Conservatory of Music and in 2006 he graduated from York University with a PhD in Musicology/Ethnomusicology. His dissertation/thesis was "The Life, Music and Improvisational Style of Herbert Lawrence ‘Sonny’ Greenwich".
In addition to his activities as a recording artist and performer, Scott is active as a journalist and an educator. He currently teaches at Humber College of Music (second year music theory, reading ensemble and private guitar), Seneca College and York University (private guitar instruction).
Selected discography
- With The Andrew Scott Quartet
- This One’s for Barney. Sackville Records, November 2004
- Blue Mercer. Sackville Records, 2006
- With The Clayton/Scott Group
- So Nice. Boomtang Records/KOCH Jazz, 2004
- The Clayton/Scott Group. CSG Records, August 2002
- With One Step Beyond
- One Step Beyond. Mo’Funk Records, 1996
- One Step Beyond and J&B Scotch. J&B, 1998
- Live in Montreal. OSB Records, 1998
Selected reviews
"The leader shows off a keen ear both for melody and buoyant rhythm, mindful of a Kenny Burrell or Barney Kessel. "My Shining Hour", "Have a Heart" and "Day in Day Out" induce superlative playing and Scott’s title track brews nicely."
- Geoff Chapman, Toronto Star (on Blue Mercer)
"The leader’s playing is a delight. Scott never hogs the spotlight but his buoyant pulse can be felt throughout. In his beautifully constructed solos one can hear the influence of Barney Kessel and Kenny Burrell. And traces of Wes Montgomery turn up in spots as well. But Scott is by no means a copyist. With his assured, yet relaxed, playing he has become his own man. Highly recommended."
- Don Brown, Wholenote Magazine (on Blue Mercer)
"...A record of straight ahead bebop as invigorating as the best in Barney Kessel’s own catalogue. No joke: Most small-combo standards sessions don’t light up like this one."
- Russell Carlson, JazzTimes Magazine (on This One's for Barney)
"Scott saves himself for leads where his robust, authoritative tone and stunning improvisational command twist a melody like his "Blues for Sonny" around the fretboard until he’s wrung it for all it’s worth, and it’s great fun listening to him do it. This will likely be the most enjoyable album of its sort that you’re going to hear all year"
- Russell Carlson, JazzTimes Magazine (on This One's for Barney)