Scott was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to Authur and Justine Stanard Scott, the third in a family of ten. As a child Jimmy got his first singing experience by his mother's side at the family piano, and later, in church choir. At thirteen, he was orphaned when his mother was killed by a drunk driver.
He first rose to national prominence as "Little Jimmy Scott" in the Lionel Hampton Band when he sang lead on the late 1940s hit "Everybody's Somebody's Fool", recorded in December 1949, and which became a top ten R&B hit in 1950. Credit on the label, however, went to "Lionel Hampton and vocalists", so the singer's name did not appear on any of the songs. This omission of credit was not only a slight to Scott's talent but a big blow to his career. A similar professional insult occurred several years later when his vocal on "Embraceable You" with Charlie Parker, on the album One Night in Birdland, was credited to female vocalist Chubby Newsome.
Lionel Hampton gave him the stage name of "Little Jimmy Scott" because he looked so young, and was short and of slight build. However, it was his extraordinary phrasing and romantic feeling that made him a favorite singer of fellow artists such as Billie Holiday, Ray Charles, Frankie Valli, Dinah Washington, and Nancy Wilson.
In 1963, it looked as though Scott's luck had changed for the good. He was signed to Ray Charles' Tangerine Records label, under the supervision of Charles himself, creating what is considered by many to be one of the great jazz vocal albums of all time, Falling in Love is Wonderful.
Owing to obligations on a contract that Scott had signed earlier with Herman Lubinsky, the record was yanked from the shelves in a matter of days, while Jimmy was honeymooning. Forty years later this cult album became available to the public again. Scott disputes the "lifetime" contract; Lubinsky loaned Jimmy out to Syd Nathan at King Records for 45 recordings in 1957–58. Another album, The Source (1969), was not released until 2001.
Scott's career faded by the late 1960s and he returned to his native Cleveland to work as a hospital orderly, shipping clerk and as an elevator operator in a hotel.
Scott eventually resurfaced in 1991 when he sang at the funeral of his long-time friend Doc Pomus, an event that single-handedly sparked his career renaissance. Afterwards Lou Reed recruited him to sing back-up on the track "Power and Glory" from his 1992 album Magic and Loss, which was inspired, to an extent, by Pomus's death. Scott was seen on the series finale of David Lynch's television series Twin Peaks, singing "Sycamore Trees", a song with lyrics by Lynch and music by Angelo Badalamenti. Scott was featured on the soundtrack of the follow-up film, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me.
Also in attendance at Pomus's funeral was Seymour Stein, founder and operator of Sire Records, who released Scott's 1992 album All The Way, produced by Tommy Lipuma and featuring artists such as Kenny Barron, Ron Carter, and David "Fathead" Newman. Scott was nominated for a Grammy Award for this album.
He followed this up with the album Dream in 1994 and the jazz-gospel album Heaven in 1996. His next work, a critically acclaimed album of pop and rock interpretations entitled Holding Back The Years was produced by Gerry McCarthy and Dale Ashley. Released in the US on Artists Only Records in October 1998, it peaked at #14 on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart. In Japan, it won the prestigious Swing Journal Award for Best Jazz Album Of The Year (2000). The title track marked the first time in his career that Scott overdubbed his own harmony vocal tracks. Holding Back The Years features cover art by Mark Kostabi, liner notes by Lou Reed, and includes critically acclaimed versions of "Nothing Compares 2 U" (written by Prince), "Jealous Guy" (John Lennon), "Almost Blue" (Elvis Costello) and "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word" (Elton John & Bernie Taupin).
In 1999, Scott's early recordings on the Decca label were re-released on CD, as were all of his recordings with the Savoy Label between 1952 and 1975 in a three-disc box set. In 2000, Scott signed to the Milestone jazz label, and recorded four critically acclaimed albums, each produced by Todd Barkan, and featuring a variety of jazz artists, including Wynton Marsalis, Renee Rosnes, Bob Kindred, Eric Alexander, Lew Soloff, George Mraz, Lewis Nash, as well as Jimmy's own touring and recording band "The Jazz Expressions". He also released two live albums, both recorded in Japan, featuring the Jazz Expressions.
In 2012, he joined the 11th annual Independent Music Awards judging panel to assist independent musicians' careers. For some years a new album entitled I Remember You was mentioned via various official channels, including Jimmy's official website.
He died on June 12, 2014, aged 88.
Legacy
Scott's career spanned sixty-five years. He performed with Charlie Parker, Sarah Vaughan, Lester Young, Lionel Hampton, Charles Mingus, Fats Navarro, Quincy Jones, Bud Powell, Ray Charles, Wynton Marsalis, and Peter Cincotti. He also performed with a host of musicians from other genres of music, such as David Byrne, Lou Reed, Flea, Michael Stipe, and Antony & The Johnsons.
Scott performed at President Dwight Eisenhower's (1953) and President Bill Clinton's (1993) inaugurations, where he sang the same song, "Why Was I Born?". Later, Scott appeared in live performances with Pink Martini, and continued to perform internationally at music festivals and at his own concerts until shortly before his death.
In 2007, Scott received the 2007 NEA Jazz Master Award. He also received the Kennedy Center's "Jazz In Our Time" Living Legend Award, and N.A.B.O.B.'s Pioneer Award in 2007. In September 2008 he did a "two-day video interview" at his Vegas home with the "Smithsonian Institute for the National Archives". Scott and his wife Jeanie lived in Las Vegas, Nevada after 2007, having previously living in Euclid, Ohio, for 10 years.
Little Jimmy Scott's "If I Ever Lost You" can be heard in the opening credits of the HBO movie Lackawanna Blues. He was also mentioned on The Cosby Show, when Clair and Cliff Huxtable bet on the year in which "An Evening In Paradise" was recorded. On August 17, 2013, at Cleveland State University in his hometown, Cleveland, Ohio, he was inducted into inaugural 2013 of the R&B Music Hall of Fame.
All the Way
Jimmy Scott Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's no good unless he loves you, all the way
Happy to be near you
When you need someone to cheer you, all the way
Taller than the tallest tree is
That's how it's got to go
Deeper than the deep blue see is
When somebody needs you
It's no good unless she needs you, all the way
Through the good or lean years
And for all the in between years, come what may
Who knows where the road will lead us
Only a fool would say
If you'll let me love you
It's for sure I'm gonna love you
All the way, all the way
Who knows where the road will lead us
Only a fool would say
If you'll let me love you
It's for sure I'm gonna love you
All the way
All the way
The lyrics to Jimmy Scott's song "All the Way" are about the depth and commitment that comes with true love. Scott sings about loving someone "all the way" and how it's not enough for someone to simply love you, but they must love you fully and completely. The second verse talks about the importance of needing someone and how a relationship cannot be successful unless two people need each other "all the way." The bridge of the song speaks to the uncertainty of where life may take us, but the singer promises that they will love the other person "all the way" no matter what.
There is a sense of vulnerability in the lyrics that is characteristic of many love songs. The singer is expressing how their love can reach great depths, comparing it to the tallest tree and the deep blue sea. The repetition of the phrase "all the way" emphasizes the commitment that is necessary for a successful relationship. The use of the word "fool" in the bridge implies that it takes courage to embark on a journey of love, but it is worth it.
Throughout the song, Scott's emotive vocals capture the essence of the lyrics perfectly. His delivery is soulful and heartfelt, making the listener feel the depth of the emotions expressed in the lyrics. Overall, "All the Way" is a beautiful love song that speaks to the power of love and the importance of commitment in a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
When somebody loves you
If somebody truly loves you
It's no good unless he loves you, all the way
Their love is only worthwhile if it is full and complete
Happy to be near you
I am content just being in your presence
When you need someone to cheer you, all the way
I will support you through any challenge or hardship
Taller than the tallest tree is
My love is immeasurable
That's how it's got to go
That is the standard my love must meet
Deeper than the deep blue sea is
My love is intense and all-encompassing
That's how deep it goes, if its real
True love is profound and limitless
When somebody needs you
If somebody genuinely needs you
It's no good unless she needs you, all the way
Their need for you must be complete and unwavering
Through the good or lean years
No matter what the future holds
And for all the in between years, come what may
Even during times of uncertainty and the mundane aspects of life
Who knows where the road will lead us
The future is unpredictable
Only a fool would say
It's impossible to predict the future of a relationship
If you'll let me love you
If you allow me to love you
It's for sure I'm gonna love you
I will definitely love you
All the way, all the way
With my entire heart and soul
Lyrics © Ultra Tunes, TuneCore Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, THE MUSIC GOES ROUND
Written by: Sammy Cahn, Jimmy Van Heusen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
loulou2lou
Brilliant Jazz interpreter.He sings his heart out.
Edie Anderson
He said "I was the first to interview him" after this album came out. I was thrilled. Then later on I actually met him. I treasure the interview and the memory of the entire experience. What a sweet soul...
Sindiswa Tshomela
Spectacular.Timelessly haunting.
Isabelle MOREAU PORTALIS
Sous cette apparente fragilité, bouleversante, derrière cette sensibilité, à vif : cette détermination, cette conviction, chaque mot prenant toute sa force. C'est splendide.
ANNA K. and Co
Comme dans un jeu de Qui perd gagne auquel il aurait ,à son corps défendant ,longtemps participé, Jimmy Scott a finalement remporté l'interminable partie...
Et si celle -ci est maintenant achevée, reste sa voix déchirante ,vibrante empreinte d'une trajectoire empechée.
Little Jimmy à jamais.
CHAS.C Williams
the man, Mr jimmy has the voice of a angel, he kills me all the time.
pnojazz
If Frank Sinatra were alive, even he'd give a thumbs up to this...RIP Jimmy Scott!
RICARDO HEILMAN
Maravilhoso 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Lafonda Williams
A class act!
sam dorsalis
Just beauty-ful...Yep!!!
Thank You Jimmy!