Shirley Scott was an extraordinary organist. Whether in a trio setting or teamed with her most frequent partners—tenor saxophonists Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis or Stanley Turrentine—Scott could rock. She was masterful at unleashing soulful chords, working the blues and getting under your skin with swinging lines. She also could match her male partners note for note in the groove department. But Scott also was a terrific pianist. [Photo above of Shirley Scott by Francis Wolff]
An album that shows off her organ and piano prowess is Like Cozy, which devotes four tracks to each instrument. Recorded for Prestige's Moodsville label in September 1960, the album features Scott backed by bassist George Duvivier and drummer Arthur Edgehill. Scott's work as a professional jazz pianist actually predates her switch to the Hammond organ in 1955. And it shows. Scott plays piano with regal grace, her most discernible influence being Red Garland.
Scott plays piano on You Do Something to Me, More Than You Know, Once in a While and Little Girl Blue. She shifts to the organ on Laura; Like Cozy, a walking blues original; My Heart Stood Still and Deed I Do. The contrast between her attack on the two instruments is fascinating. On the piano tracks, shes in a metaphoric evening gown while on the organ, she's stylistically in a relaxed blouse and capris.
At times you can hear one instrument's influence over the other. On piano, she employs spare lines and block chords, building to a crescendo the way she would on the organ. On organ, she's much funkier as she deploys one crisp groove after the next. For those who may not be aware, Moodsville was Prestige's line for record buyers who wanted to unwind or cuddle on the couch with jazz as background music. Like Cozy may be loaded with pop standards but it's hardly Mantovani.
Shirley Scott died in 2002.
JazzWax track: You'll find Shirley Scott's Like Cozy here, combined with tracks recorded in 1958
JazzWax clips: Here's Shirley Scott on piano, playing You Do Something to Me from Like Cozy...
And here's Scott on More Than You Know...
