Shirley Scott On Piano Jazz

by GRANT JACKSOn, March 29, 201312:04 PM

In this Piano Jazz episode recorded in 1992, we remember the remarkable talents of Shirley Scott, the "Queen of the Organ," as she solos on "Skylark" and joins host Marian McPartland for a piano duet of "In a Mellow Tone."

Shirley Scott was born in Philadelphia in 1934. Famous for her impeccable sense of swing and leadership within soul jazz, she developed her reputation on the Hammond B3 organ. While she was growing up, her father ran a jazz club in the family basement where prestigious musicians performed, including pianist Red Garland, drummer Philly Joe Jones and tenor saxophonist Al Steele.

Listen: http://www.npr.org/2013/03/29/175689014/shirley-scott-on-piano-jazz

Scott herself began playing music when her brother T.L. needed accompaniment for his tenor sax. She took up the piano and quickly developed a thirst for solos. In high school, she briefly played the trumpet, but finally settled with the B3 after hearing a Jackie Davis recording.

Read more: http://www.npr.org/2013/03/29/175689014/shirley-scott-on-piano-jazz?ft=3&f=126134671&sc=nl&cc=jn-20130331