He began recording in 1970 with the LP Small Talk at 125th and Lenox with the assistance of Bob Thiele Flying Dutchman Records, co-writer Brian Jackson, Hubert Laws, Bernard Purdie (who later recorded "Delights of the Garden" with The Last Poets), Charlie Saunders, Eddie Knowles, Ron Carter and Bert Jones, all jazz musicians (see 1970 in music). The album included the aggressive diatribe against white-owned corporate media and middle-class America's ignorance of the problems of inner cities in songs such as Whitey On The Moon.
The 1971 Pieces of a Man used more conventional song structures than the loose, spoken word feel of his first, though he didn't reach the charts until 1975 with "Johannesburg". His biggest hit was 1978's "The Bottle", produced by Heron and longtime partner Brian Jackson, which peaked at #15 on the R&B charts (see 1978 in music).
In 2001, Gil Scott-Heron was sentenced to one to three years' imprisonment in New York State for possession of cocaine. While out of jail in 2002, he appeared on the Blazing Arrow album by Blackalicious. He was released on parole in 2003. On July 5, 2006, Scott-Heron was sentenced to two to four years in a New York State prison for violating a plea deal on a drug-possession charge by leaving a drug rehabilitation center. Scott-Heron's sentence was to run until July 13, 2009. He was paroled on May 23, 2007. The reason given for the violation of his plea was that the clinic refused to supply Scott-Heron with HIV medication. This story led to the presumption that the artist is HIV positive.
After his release, Scott-Heron began performing live again, starting with a show at SOBs in New York on September 13, 2007. On stage, he stated that he and his musicians were working on a new album and that he had resumed writing a book titled The Last Holiday, previously on long-term hiatus, about Stevie Wonder and his successful attempt to have the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. declared a federally recognized holiday in the United States.
He was arrested October 10, 2007, the day before a scheduled (but ultimately cancelled) second SOBs performance, on felony possession of cocaine charges. However, he has continued to make live appearances at various US venues during the course of 2008 and 2009, including further appearances at SOBs in New York. He has also stated in interviews that work is continuing on his new album, which will consist mainly of new versions of some of his classic songs plus some cover versions of other artists' work.
Having originally planned to publish The Last Holiday in 2003, before it was put on hold, Canongate Books now tentatively intend to issue it in January, 2011. The book was due to be previewed via a website set to be launched on April 1, 2009, but this did not appear.
Mark T. Watson, a student of Scott-Heron's work, dedicated a collection of poetry to Gil titled Ordinary Guy that contained a foreword by Jalal Mansur Nuriddin of The Last Poets. The book was published in the UK in 2004 by Fore-Word Press Ltd. Scott-Heron recorded one of the poems in Watson's book Black & Blue due for release in 2008 as part of the album Rhythms of the Diaspora by Malik & the OG's on the record label CPR Recordings.
Gil Scott-Heron released his new album I'm New Here on independent label XL Recordings on February 9, 2010. Produced by XL label owner Richard Russell, 'I'm New Here' is Scott-Heron's first album in thirteen years.The pair started recording the album in 2007, with the majority of the record being recorded over the last twelve months with engineer Lawson White at Clinton Studios in New York. In 2009, a new Gil Scott-Heron website, www.gilscottheron.net , was launched with a brand new track 'Where Did The Night Go' made available as a free download from the site.
In 2011, Scott-Heron released "We're New Here" a remix album which was a collaboration with Jamie xx, a member of the British indie band The xx. Scott-Heron died in New York City on May 27, 2011.
Is That Jazz?
Gil Scott-Heron Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He was always measures ahead.
Ellington was more than number one
For the music and things that he said.
Bird was the word back when tenors were heard
From Kansas right up to the Prez
And Billie was really the Queen of a scene
That keeps echoing on in my head.
What it has will surely last but is that Jazz?
Miles had a style that amazes and raises
The spirits from deep in your soul.
'Trane struck a vein of laughter and pain
Adventures the mind could explore.
Stevie and Bob talk of freedom and 'Jah'
In their own individual ways.
Playing and singing as long as its bringing
A message is all that it says.
What is has will surely last but is that Jazz?
We overanaylze we let others define
A thousand precious feelings from our past.
When we express love and tenderness
Is that Jazz? Is that Jazz? Is that Jazz? Is that Jazz?
Dizzy's been busy while Grover gets us over
With notes that go straight to the heart.
Brother Ron gets it on with a bassline so strong
That the sounds seem to glow in the dark.
I take pride in what's mine - is that really a crime -
When you know I ain't got nothing else?
Only millions of sounds picks me up when I'm down;
Let me salvage a piece of myself.
What it has will surely last but is that Jazz?
The lyrics of Gil Scott-Heron's "Is That Jazz?" are a reflection on the different facets of jazz music and its evolution over time. The song pays tribute to some of the most iconic figures of jazz history and their contribution to the genre--Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, Grover Washington Jr., and Ron Carter. The song asks whether the different forms that jazz has taken can still be considered jazz, or if the genre has become too broad to be defined.
The first verse praises the distinctive qualities of jazz legends like Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Billie Holiday, who were known for their unique styles and sound. They are celebrated for their masterful techniques and the powerful messages conveyed through their music. The second verse acknowledges the contributions of later jazz musicians like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, Grover Washington Jr., and Ron Carter, who expanded the boundaries of jazz even further. These musicians experimented with new sounds and styles, combining elements of different genres to create something wholly new.
The song's chorus questions whether all of these disparate sounds and styles can still be considered jazz. Scott-Heron seems to suggest that the essence of jazz lies not just in its sound, but in the emotions it evokes and the messages it communicates. He suggests that it is up to each individual listener to decide whether a particular piece of music can be considered jazz, based on their subjective experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Basie was never really commonplace
Basie was always ahead of his time and was never ordinary.
He was always measures ahead.
Basie was always ahead of his time.
Ellington was more than number one
Ellington was more than just the best, he was also about the message his music conveyed.
For the music and things that he said.
Ellington was about the message his music conveyed, not just the music itself.
Bird was the word back when tenors were heard
Charlie Parker was the talk of the town in the days when tenors were popular.
From Kansas right up to the Prez
Charlie Parker was popular from his hometown of Kansas to the White House.
And Billie was really the Queen of a scene
Billie Holiday was the undisputed queen of the music scene.
That keeps echoing on in my head.
Her music is still remembered and appreciated to this day.
What it has will surely last but is that Jazz?
While their music is timeless, is it really considered jazz?
Miles had a style that amazes and raises
Miles Davis had a unique style that elevated the listener's spirit.
'Trane struck a vein of laughter and pain
John Coltrane's music could evoke both joy and sorrow in the listener.
Adventures the mind could explore.
Coltrane's music expanded the mind and took the listener on a journey.
Stevie and Bob talk of freedom and 'Jah'
Stevie Wonder and Bob Marley speak of freedom in their own unique ways.
In their own individual ways.
Each artist has their own unique way of expressing their views on freedom.
Playing and singing as long as its bringing
Artists play and sing as long as their music has a message that resonates with the listener.
A message is all that it says.
The message in the music is paramount.
We overanaylze we let others define
We overthink and let others dictate our own feelings.
A thousand precious feelings from our past.
We have many memories that we hold dear.
When we express love and tenderness
When we express feelings of love and tenderness, is that considered jazz?
Is that Jazz? Is that Jazz? Is that Jazz? Is that Jazz?
What is considered jazz is subjective and debatable.
Dizzy's been busy while Grover gets us over
Dizzy Gillespie has remained busy while Grover Washington Jr. has been soothing our souls.
With notes that go straight to the heart.
Their music evokes strong emotions in the listener.
Brother Ron gets it on with a bassline so strong
Ron Carter's bass playing is incredibly strong and powerful.
That the sounds seem to glow in the dark.
The music is so powerful that it resonates long after it has stopped playing.
I take pride in what's mine - is that really a crime -
Is it wrong for me to be proud of what I have accomplished?
When you know I ain't got nothing else?
When you know music is all I have?
Only millions of sounds picks me up when I'm down;
Music is the only thing that can lift me up when I am feeling down.
Let me salvage a piece of myself.
Music is what gives me a sense of identity and I want to hold onto that.
What it has will surely last but is that Jazz?
While music is timeless, is it really jazz?
Contributed by Gabriella B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@KeithCopeland778
Gil was a very gifted poet, musician, historian, and activist!!! There has never been anyone else like him....R.I.P.
@EricBlackmonGuitar
Amazing SINGER too!!!
@Mythodiir
Some of the best music ever composed.
@PaulValentine1965
A lot of the music I starting listening to was my brothers, it will remain with me for the rest of my days, this will always be a classical and no other song was ever as unique as this one. it is testimony to the song that you do not have to be a jazz fan to like this.
@busterheine3806
“What Is Jazz?”, as a question, is one of those many philosophical musings that has no singular, objective, uncontested answer.
But…Gil has written a musical response that will surely start the conversation.
R.I.P.., Gil Scott-Heron.
And…thank you. ❤️🌹🌹
@moscowgonzo4721
So happy to have this album on my vinyl collection
@andrewhughes328
My first hearing today brilliant, what a tribute to so many Greats, the lady announced on jazz fm. Man l thought she may of bigged it up, it blow my mind,
@charisse3493
Grew up on Gil Scott Heron a man truly before his time, but happy to enjoy the music along the way..🎶🎶💕💕💕💕
@tazaguthrie9927
Visionary artist!
@antonioporras2038
Love this song.