Shirley Scott + Clark Terry

Reprinted from http://jazzwax.com

In Aug. 1966, organist Shirley Scott and flugelhornist Clark Terry came together to record an album for Impulse. The album, Soul Duo, included bassists George Duvivier and Ben Cranshaw and drummer Mickey Roker, and was recorded four months after another date featuring Scott and Clark—Roll 'Em: Shirley Scott Plays the Big Bands (Impulse). Unfortunately, Soul Duo would be the only album Scott and Clark recorded in a small-group format.

What makes this recording special is the conversational quality of Scott's organ grooves and Clark's "spoken" playing approach. Scott builds her ideas and backdrops in the spirit of big-band sections and Clark, as a member of some of the best bands of the 1940s, '50s and early '60s, knows all about that sound and performs here as a soloist in front of an orchestra. Throughout the album, Scott plays beautifully with her pointed, skittery gospel feel while Clark's playing is fleshy and growly. Best of all, the church-like testifying by both artists is soulful and measured, with each offering up their own hallelujah moments.

Shirley Scott died in 2002; Clark Terry died in February 2015.

JazzWax tracks: You'll find Soul Duo here.

JazzWax clips: Here's the album's title track:

And here's Heat Wave...

A special thanks to David Langner.

Used with permission by Marc Myers

Video: Shirley Scott, 1996

Reprinted from http://jazzwax.com

Sadly, video of organist Shirley Scott is rare. I found this clip yesterday and thought I'd share. It features Scott in San Francisco in November 1996 with saxophonist Scott Petersen and drummer Eddie Marshall. The first song is On Green Dolphin Street and then the video is badly edited, morphing into another tune. Scott, who died in 2002, remains among the very finest and most soulful organists in a field crowded with Hammond giants...

Used with permission by Marc Myers

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