Musical Styles: Hard-Swinging, Energetic and Shamanic Jazz Piano and Jazz Organ
Born in Jacksonville Florida into a very musically diverse family, Giddens’formative years were soaked in every type of music from the Grand Ole Opry and
Gospel to Jazz, Classical, Soul, and Rock and Roll.
Scott began playing the organ at the age of five as he mimicked what he heard his Grandfather playing on the Hammond. Before his feet could reach the pedals
he was also playing the piano, delving into classical music, gospel, boogie woogie, and blues based improvisation.
During his college years Scott was afforded the opportunity to play with some of the greatest musicians of our time including the Brecker Brothers, Joe Lovano, Russell Malone, Slide Hampton, Jon Faddis, Arturo Sandoval, James Moody,
and Nicholas Payton. While attending UNF, he received many awards and accolades for his playing and, contributions to various ensembles including
recognition from Down Beat magazine as a member of the combo voted best small group two years in a row. Additionally he is featured on several critically
renowned UNF big band CD’s.
Since then Giddens’ has been heard backing such luminaries as Harry "Sweets" Edison, Marcus Printup, Dominick Farinacci, Maceo Parker, Wessell Anderson,
Wycliffe Gordon, Ira Sullivan, Bunky Green, Vincent Herring, Bob Reynolds, Andreas Oberg, Doug Wamble, Barry Greene, Pat Bergeson, Andreas Varady,
Christian Tamburr, Nathan Page, John Pizzarelli, Ricky Skaggs, Annie Sellick, Linda Hopkins, and Diane Schuur. He has played in major venues all over the
United States, the Kennedy Center in Washington DC for example, as well as Russia, Australia, and France. He has been featured in many festivals including the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Mobile Jazz Festival, Savannah Jazz Festival, Clearwater Jazz Festival, Cocoa beach Jazz Festival, and the North Sea Jazz Festival, in The Hague, Netherlands.
In 2001 Scott returned to his gospel roots and took a full time position as instrumental director at New Life Christian Fellowship in Jacksonville Florida. In
2004 he was made the head of the music department at New Life Christian Fellowship and continues to faithfully serve there. In addition to his full time
director position, Scott is also the Professor of Jazz Piano at Jacksonville University; giving him the opportunity to reinvest his knowledge and experience
into the next generation. More recently he has returned to his love of singing and is wooing crowds with his warm soulful baritone voice. Often pitched in the style of Nat Cole, Frank Sinatra, and Harry Connick Jr., he can be heard at the Ritz Carlton Amelia Island Resort, where he is under a long term contract. Scott frequently tours all over the South East United Sates with his own group, as well
as backing many others in a variety of settings. He currently resides in Fleming Island Florida with his wife Cathy and maintains a busy performance schedule.
Almost every jazz musician I know dreams about owning his or her own club. If I had my own place, I'd want it to be just like the Jazz Corner. It's one of the classiest, "grooviest" clubs in which I've had the pleasure of performing. (I'm still trying to figure out if it's a great jazz club that's also a first-class restaurant, or the other way around!)
We have just returned to Ontario & wanted you to know how much we enjoyed our evening listening to Bob and the Scott Giddens Quartet. We look forward to visiting again next year.
Cheers.
JK
This innovative and fresh CD from "The Reverand" Scott Giddens, joined by Justin Varnes and James Hogan, features pulsating jazz organ with original works as...
