Bobby Scott (musician)

Scott was born in Mount Pleasant, New York, United States,[1] and became a pianist, vibraphonist, and singer, and could also play the accordion, cello, clarinet, and double bass. He studied under Edvard Moritz at the La Follette School of Music at the age of eight, and was working professionally at 11.[2] In 1952, he began touring with Louis Prima, and also toured and performed with Gene Krupa, Lester Young, and Tony Scott in the 1950s.[1] In 1956 he hit the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 with the song "Chain Gang", peaking at number 13.[3] It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.[4]

Scott led a jazz quartet -- with Frank Socolow, Red Kelly, and Kenny Hume -- that played at the side of the stage during the Broadway performances of "A Taste of Honey," at the Lyceum Theatre, October 3, 1960, through September 9 1961.[5][6]

As a bandleader, he did sessions for Verve, ABC-Paramount, Bethlehem, and Musicmasters. As a songwriter, he won a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition for the song "A Taste of Honey".[7] In addition to "A Taste of Honey", Scott also co-wrote the song "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother".[8] In the 1960s he became a music teacher and studied again under Moritz, but occasionally recorded as well, including a Nat King Cole tribute album released in the 1980s. He also composed film soundtracks, including the scores to Slaves (1969), Joe (1970), and Who Says I Can't Ride a Rainbow! (1971). During the 1980s he composed music for classical guitar, harp, and piano. He also arranged for jazz and easy listening musicians such as Les and Larry Elgart.

Scott died of lung cancer in New York City, at the age of 53.[9]

• Bobby Scott discography at Discogs
• Bobby Scott at IMDb