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.
Dedicated To You
Jimmy Scott Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That brought me fame and fortune too,
That book would be,
Like my heart and me,
Dedicated to you.
And if I should paint a picture too
That showed the loveliness of you,
Like my heart and me,
Dedicated to you.
To you,
Because your love is the beacon that lights up my way.
To you,
Because with you I know a lifetime could be just one heavenly day.
If I should find a twinkling star,
One half as wondrous as you are,
That star would be
Like my heart and me,
Dedicated to you.
To you,
Because your love is the beacon that lights up my way.
To you,
Because with you I know a lifetime could be just one heavenly day.
If I should find a twinkling star,
One half as wondrous as you are,
That star would be
Like my heart and me,
Dedicated to you.
The lyrics to Jimmy Scott's song, Dedicated To You, express the depth of love and devotion the singer feels for his beloved. He promises to dedicate all of his artistic endeavors - whether it be writing a book or painting a picture - to his lover, as they are a constant source of inspiration and the light that guides his path in life. He further conveys his adoration by comparing his heart to his art; both mirror his feelings and are completely devoted to his love interest. He also acknowledges the one-of-a-kind nature of his lover by stating that even the stars in the sky fall short of their magnificence.
The song has a timeless quality to it that still resonates with listeners today. Its simplicity and sincerity make it relatable to anyone who has ever experienced love in its purest form. The lyrics convey a sense of devotion, respect, and admiration that is often lost in contemporary music, making it a classic love song that will be remembered for generations to come.
Line by Line Meaning
If I should write a book for you
If I were to author a book for you
That brought me fame and fortune too,
That also garnered me success and wealth
That book would be,
The book would represent
Like my heart and me,
My book would embody the same feelings as I do
Dedicated to you.
And it would be devoted to you.
And if I should paint a picture too
If I were to create a work of art for you
That showed the loveliness of you,
Which captured your beauty
My art would be,
My artwork would embody
Like my heart and me,
The same feelings as I do
Dedicated to you.
And it would be devoted to you.
To you,
Because of you
Because your love is the beacon that lights up my way.
Your love guides me through life
To you,
Because of you
Because with you I know a lifetime could be just one heavenly day.
Because being with you makes time feel like it passes by quickly in a delightful way
If I should find a twinkling star,
If I were to come across a shining star
One half as wondrous as you are,
Even if it were just half as amazing as you are
That star would be
That star would represent
Like my heart and me,
The same feelings as I do
Dedicated to you.
And it would be devoted to you.
Lyrics © DELLA BLUE MUSIC LLC, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Hy Zaret, Sammy Cahn, Saul Chaplin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Clyde Lamont
I really really love this song. The way he Woos and paces each phrase so intentional with each beat of my heart. As usual he takes a classic song and makes it his. A legend, and icon, an innovator, and inspiration to all vocalist who are dedicated to true workmanship of singing. Today, this day, I celebrate With Honor, Little Jimmy Scott. The one and only!!
Mike Norris
Jimmy Scott is the best vocalist ever. He change my total perspective on what
a true, and real vocalist should represent. The first time I heard dedicated to you,
I cried. What a Treasure. What a Gift from God. Thank You Jimmy Scott
Clyde Lamont
Mister Norris you are exactly right. I couldn't have said it any better. Jimmy Scott is one of the vocalist bed set of standard on voice control, phrasing, and a full-scale delivery in ministering to the heart of all Romantics. He's One in a Million.
Parker Byron
Unsung Vocal Jazz Pioneer!!!!
RXmusic4YOU
Memories of a Cleveland supper club in the Flats. Wow!!! What a wonderful evening with friends and Mr. Scott. RIP, Sir.
Jeanie Scott
How I miss him.
Clyde Lamont
I'm missing too Jeanie. But he left his mark on us, and it will never fade away. His music will live with us forever and ever. Bless your heart Jeanie. You've experienced what most will never endure.
Landis Batts
Thanks to a Madonna interview in Interview magazine years ago, I was introduced to Little Jimmy Scott.
Mrs. Jimmy Scott - Jazz Wife 1
THANK YOU, YUIMARLU.
songanddanceman100
Only 181 views since 2012??? So sad. :(