Rhoda Scott

The organ is used comparatively rarely in jazz music performances due to the fact that adaptations for this particular instrument demand special skills, and it is far from every jazz musician who has been able to “tame” the king of instruments. Those musicians who have been able to do so include Fats Waller, Bill Doggett, Wild Bill Davis, Lou Bennett, Jimmy McGriff and, of course, Rhoda Scott herself. On the organ she performs typical jazz themes, church music and jazz arrangements of classical music with great skill and élan.

Rhoda Scott was born in the USA. The eldest daughter of a minister, she grew up surrounded by the atmosphere of African American churches and was constantly moving from one parish to another. At the age of eight she began to perform spirituals and gospels at church services. This was when her musical calling first became apparent. Everyone could see her rare vocal gift and talent as an instrumentalist. She entered the renowned Manhattan School of Music in New York from which she graduated with distinction. She made her debut with Count Basie’s orchestra in Harlem and immediately entered a circle of acclaimed musicians. Rhoda Scott soon moved to France where she continued her studies, learning about counterpoint and harmony from the famous teacher Nadia Boulanger.

With her incredibly diverse musical abilities, Rhoda Scott performs classical, jazz and blues music equally brilliantly. Gifted with an exceptional memory for music, she knows by heart more than a thousand pieces of music and she herself also composes. Moreover, the organist never prepares programmes for her performances in advance, instead always playing based on inspiration, the atmosphere of the venue and time as well as the audience response.