J. B. Scott
J.B. Scott earned his B.A. Degree in Music as the first graduate of the jazz program at the University of North Florida, under the tutelage of the J.B. Scottlegendary Rich Matteson. While in college, Scott performed with several pro groups that included the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, was a band member on the 1988 Japan Tour with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and performed regularly in the Walt Disney World theme parks. After graduating, he did a three year stint in New Orleans as the trumpeter and musical director of the world famous Dukes of Dixieland and was featured in the PBS special, Salute to Jelly Roll Morton.
Earning his M.S. Degree in Music Ed. in 1996 at Florida International University while studying with the legendary trumpeter, Arturo Sandoval, Scott also performed professionally with the Mickey Finn Show and numerous Latin bands led by such legendary names as Eddie Palmieri, Paquito D’Rivera and Arturo Sandoval. Returning to UNF in 1996, Scott has served as Assoc. Professor of Jazz Studies, carrying on the Rich Matteson ‘old school swing’ legacy, teaching trumpet and music history courses, and directing the acclaimed UNF Jazz Ensemble I. As a soloist, Scott has performed on many festivals including the Macieo Jazz Festival, (Brazil), the Elkhart Jazz Festival, the Montreux Jazz Festival, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and many others. As a Yamaha Artist, he has appeared with such notables as Nick Brignola, Ira Sullivan, Arturo Sandoval, Rufus Reed, and Ed Calle, to name a few.
Partnering in 1997 with vocalist Lisa Kelly, the two have performed internationally for major festivals, jazz clubs and jazz societies, as featured soloists with big bands, and with their own big band and small groups. They are highly regarded adjudicators and guest artist/clinicians for secondary to collegiate music programs, competitions and music camps. Scott has been featured on many TV and radio commercials, on CD recordings, and has co-released six successful CD’s with Lisa Kelly. Under the direction of JB Scott, the UNF Jazz Ensemble I was the first collegiate winner of the Monterey Jazz Festival’s “Next Generation Competition,” was the first jazz big band to perform on the Great Wall of China, received a standing ovation when they appeared with the legendary Doc Severenson at the esteemed 2008 Midwest Clinic in Chicago, and won the 2015 Downbeat Magazine “Best Jazz Ensemble” award, undergrad. Scott has presented jazz performance clinics for IAJE, JEN, FJE and FBA/FMEA and is much in demand as a big band clinician and adjudicator. In 2011, JB Scott was profiled in the acclaimed book, The New Face of Jazz, available on Amazon.com.
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