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Rhoda Scott

The daughter of an AME minister, Scott spent much of her childhood in New Jersey, where she learned to play organ in the churches where her father served. Soon she herself was serving frequently as organist for youth and gospel choirs at her father's and other churches. Scott later studied classical piano, but she concentrated on the organ, eventually earning a Masters' degree in music theory from the Manhattan School of Music. By this time she had been asked by a choir member to fill in with a small band as a jazz pianist. Enjoying the music, she agreed to stay on with the band on condition that she be allowed to play organ instead of piano. Choosing as her instrument the Hammond Organ, she soon became a preeminent jazz musician.

Scott was first attracted to the organ in her father’s church at age seven. "It's really the most beautiful instrument in the world," she stated in a recent interview. "The first thing I did was take my shoes off and work the pedals."[1] From then on she always played her church organ in her bare feet, and to this date she has continued the practice, earning her nicknames such as "The Barefoot Lady" and "The Barefoot Contessa." Following her lead, many other performers of popular organ music now also play barefoot. Because of her church training, however, Scott uses the pedals to play a genuine bass line, unlike many other jazz organists, which allows her to use her left hand for more elaborate chord work.[2] The resulting music is an energetic fusion of musical styles that partakes of jazz, gospel, and classical, reflecting both Scott’s early experience and her formal training.

In 1967 Scott moved to France, where she has since spent most of her career and earned recognition far greater than that accorded to her in the United States, though she often performs in the latter country as well.

New Releases from Rhoda Scott, Cecilia Sanchietti Plus Remembering Lyricist Marilyn Bergman

by Mary Foster Conklin
January 31, 2022

This broadcast presents new releases from organist Rhoda Scott, drummer Cecilia Sanchietti, guitarist Dave Stryker, vocalists Cecil L. Recchia, Christiane Karam, and the Roddy Ellias Free Spirit Ensemble, as well as songs with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, in honor of her recent passing. Thanks for listening and please support the artists you hear by purchasing their music during this time of pandemic so they can continue to distract, comfort and inspire.Playlist Johnny Mandel & The DIVA ...

Radio & Podcasts

Rhoda Scott, Jorge Rossy, N∆BOU, Mirra&Petrella

by Ludovico Granvassu
January 25, 2022

The queen of the Hammond organ, Rhoda Scott, opens an episode that hops from organists, to saxophonists, from vibraphonists to trombonists, and pianists, with trumpets and guitars for good measure, all playing in the key of fun and adventurous jazz.Happy listening!PlaylistBen Allison Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Rhoda Scott “R & R" Rhoda Scott Lady All Stars (Framboise) 0:16 Host talks 5:45 Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio “Cold As Weiss" Pull Up ...

Radio & Podcasts

All-Female Bands Are a Riot!

by Ludovico Granvassu
August 13, 2019

As much as we favor a complete integration of the jazz sexes, this week we feature twenty-four bands or projects with not a single man in sight, actually in hearing. After all, how much jazz radio have you listened to (not on Mondo Jazz) with playlists made exclusively of all male bands? Here's a small contribution to rebalancing that statistical abherration. Happy listening! Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 ...

Radio & Podcasts

From C to Shining C

by Mary Foster Conklin
August 10, 2019

The broadcast fell after Independence Day but included sparkling new releases from vocalists Rachelle Garniez, Lucy Yeghiazaryan, Isabel Crespo (For Now) and saxophonist Bob Sheppard, with birthday shout outs to Louis Armstrong, organist Rhoda Scott, vocalists Claudia Acuna, Melissa Walker and trombonist Natalie Cressman among others. Playlist Rhoda Scott “From C to Shining C" from From C to Shining C (Doodlin Records) 00:00 Alyssa Allgood “Exactly Like You" from Exactly Like You (Cellar Live) 04:44 Freddy Cole “Where ...

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Album Review

Rhoda Scott: Encore, Encore, Encore

Read "Encore, Encore, Encore" reviewed by Stephen Latessa

by Stephen Latessa
September 16, 2005

Few instruments are as fascinating to listen to as the Hammond B-3 organ. Sliding from the sweetest buttery swirls to the deepest, darkest tones whose vibrations ominously shake whatever glass might be in the area, the B-3 is like an orchestra unto itself. Born in New Jersey but based in Paris, organist Rhoda Scott is an often overlooked master of the instrument who puts on a wild, ebullient show of her skills on her fiftieth release, Encore, Encore, Encore.

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Album Review

Rhoda Scott: The Hammond Organ Of Christmas

Read "The Hammond Organ Of Christmas" reviewed by Celeste Sunderland

by Celeste Sunderland
December 2, 2003

Hammond-heads have a new reason to hail the holidays this season: Rhoda Scott's The Hammond Organ Of Christmas , a collection of 17 classic yuletide tunes that combines French faire with African-American spirituals. Scott recorded most of the album in Paris in 1977 alongside drummer Bill Elliott. But two tracks feature Houston Person on tenor saxophone, Steve Phillips on drums and percussion, and Scott's deep, finely textured voice. As a minister's daughter, Scott elicits a natural spirituality ...

Video / DVD

Rhoda Scott: Live in Hungary

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
June 30, 2022

Interview

Interview: Rhoda Scott

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
October 14, 2011

Rhoda Scott is easily the finest Hammond B3 organist around today. Name unfamiliar to you? That's probably because Rhoda moved to Paris in 1968 and has resided there ever since. Over the past 43 years, Rhoda has become a jazz celebrity on the European jazz concert and club circuit. Over here, not so much. Nevertheless, organ buffs revere her albums, many of which were recorded in Paris and have a terrific relaxed feel. As you probably can tell, Rhoda is ...
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Music Industry

JIMMY MCGRIFF, DR. LONNIE SMITH, RHODA SCOTT & JOEY DeFRANCESCO CONVENE FOR ORGAN SUMMIT - NOVEMBER 29 & DECEMBER 1

Source: All About Jazz

"Jammin' on the Hammond" also features noted organ jazz sidemen: guitarist PAT MARTINO; saxophonists HOUSTON PERSON and JAMES CARTER, drummer IDRIS MUHAMMAD, and many others.

In what promises to be one of the most exhilarating concerts to ever occur under the roof of Alice Tully Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center (J@LC) will bring together four of the greatest jazz organists today - DR. LONNIE SMITH, JIMMY MCGRIFF, RHODA SCOTT (making a rare New York appearance), and JOEY DEFRANCESCO - for ...
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