Shirley Scott

Shirley Scott on vinyl: soul jazz on the Hammond organ

In short: Shirley Scott (1934–2002) from Philadelphia was one of the great organists of soul jazz. In the late fifties she played in the quintet of tenor saxophonist Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis; alongside that, from 1958 she recorded numerous albums of her own for Prestige – swinging, bluesy and with a fine feel for ballads. The Vinyl Room currently has 5 Shirley Scott records.

What makes Shirley Scott special?

Her organ playing was elegant and powerful at once. With Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis she made the popular “Cookbook” series – in our stock “Cookbook Vol. 3” and “Jaws” – and on “Moodsville Volume 4” the two show their quiet side – Shirley Scott plays piano there.

You can hear her as a bandleader on “Hip Twist” and “Drag ’Em Out”: early-sixties soul jazz with blues and groove.

From our stock

First pressings

Records by Shirley Scott

→ Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis · Prestige · Moodsville · Soul jazz

FAQ

Which instrument did Shirley Scott play? The Hammond organ.

Who did she make the “Cookbook” records with? Tenor saxophonist Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, in the late fifties on Prestige.

What is Moodsville? A Prestige series of quiet ballad albums.

Which records do you have? Mostly sixties records – 5 records in all.