Rusty Scott

Rusty Scott - Band leader/Piano

Rusty Scott has been the leader and pianist in the group since its inception in 1994. He has shouldered the responsibility of organizing, booking, and writing for the band and remains the backbone of its sound and direction. Performing professionally in New England since 1990 as a soloist and in a wide variety of groups, Rusty has been a fixture in the Boston jazz scene for a number of years.

Rusty grew up in northern New Jersey and Burlington, Vermont. He began playing piano at the age of eight. His jazz studies began with Burlington jazz musician, Bruce Sklar, while attending the University of Vermont. In 1989 he moved on to Berklee College of Music in Boston to receive a Bachelor's degree in Jazz Performance studying with Michael Marra, one of Boston's' finest bop pianists and Bob Winter of the Boston Pops. More recently he has been traveling to New York regularly to receive training from Mike LeDonne, one of the city's top flight pianists who has worked with Milt Jackson, Benny Golson, and countless others. Rusty is heavily influenced by many of the traditional be-bop piano players such as Red Garland, Tommy Flanagan, Wynton Kelly, Barry Harris, Bud Powell, and Hank Jones while keeping his ear tuned to many of the more modern players of jazz.

He is also responsible for helping initiate jazz night at what is now known as the Karma Club on Lansdowne Street. He has performed for Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and the Greek and Russian Consulates, among many others. Since graduating from Berklee, Rusty has free-lanced throughout New England performing with such notables as John Turner, Henrietta Robinson, Mike Turk, Greg Abate, and Lello Molinari.

"This excellent band of musicians featuring pianist Rusty Scott and saxophonist Tim Mayer are among some of the tightest jazz 'cats' you'll hear on the Boston jazz scene. These guys are great!" - Douglas Sloan Metronome Magazine

"Hard-core, straight ahead playing throw them into the twilight zone and you've got the future of jazz!" - Dave McElfresh Cadence "Is that Tommy Flanagan on piano? Wynton Kelly? Hank Jones? Red Garland? The answer: Rusty Scott" - Bob Young Boston Herald

The Boston based Rusty Scott Quartet have been honing their skills over the past five years playing to packed rooms all across New England and New York. Schooled at Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory / Thelonius Monk Institute, the members of the group have played both nationally and internationally. Combining their diverse experiences into one focused and swinging sound while always keeping a healthy respect for the tradition of jazz.

In addition to their healthy schedule of recording and club work, the Rusty Scott Quartet are regularly featured on New England radio stations such as WMBR, WHRB, WGBH and WERS in Boston. Their second CD release Short Bread was feted on September 7, 2000 with a packed house at the Regattabar in Cambridge, Mass.

Performing in New York, Boston, and throughout New England, the Rusty Scott Quartet delivers the most tasteful jazz and swing for both listening and dancing.

Whether you're planning a wedding reception, fundraiser, corporate function, or house party, The Rusty Scott Quartet will add the touch of class and excitement that will make your occasion a special one. Solo piano, duos, trios, quartets and quintets with vocalist are available.

Performing the music of Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington, Cole Porter; the latin influences of Jobim; and the be-bop of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Thelonius Monk the Rusty Scott Quartet plays a wide variety of jazz music from the 30's to the 90's by some of Jazz' finest composers. Audiences consistently give us great feedback about how much they enjoy the group:

• "The Rusty Scott quartet set the perfect mood for our wedding."
• "I selected your band after auditioning hundreds of musical acts."
• "You were wonderful we received many compliments for our guests."
• "Very classy indeed."