RELEASE DATE JUNE 23, 2023 ON ROPEADOPE RECORDS - EPK HERE   

                                                                                                                                                                            

Bernie's Tune                     6:30     (by Bernie Miller) 
Maid in Mexico                  4:36     (by Russ Freeman)
Line for Lyons                    7:22    (by Gerry Mulligan)
Casa de Luz                         5:38     (by Shorty Rogers)
Festive Minor                     5:44     (by Gerry Mulligan)
Nights at the Turntable     5:55    (by Gerry Mulligan)
Utter Chaos                         3:40    (by Gerry Mulligan)

Dred Scott - piano
Eric Crystal - tenor saxophone
John Wiitala - bass
Smith Dobson - drums

Recorded at Art Farm Studios, Sebastopol, CA
July 24 and 25, 2019
Denny Abrams, producer, executive producer
Jason Hogan, engineer
Mixed and Mastered by Ben Rubin
Painting by Viola Vassello
Cover design by Tom Beckham

I spent many years living in the Bay Area. During that time, I developed a special affection for the music of the Pacific Jazz Label, an LA-based record company that started in 1952 and carried on through the 60's as World Pacific Records. West Coast jazz, people called it. And it was a thing. It was characterized often by the lack of a chordal instrument even though there were pianists and guitarists on the label, as well. The music itself was usually not difficult or intricate and the playing was more about sounding cool than blowing minds with awesome virtuosity. It was laid back and felt good. Some of the cats on the roster - Shorty Rogers, Shelly Manne, Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker, Russ Freeman, Hampton Hawes, Bud Shank, Paul Desmond, Jim Hall, Chico Freeman, Jimmy Giuffre, Victor Feldman and Cal Tjader. The music reminds me of taking a drive down Highway 1 on a sunny day, of Golden Gate Park, of the beautiful redwoods of Muir Woods and Big Sur, of concerts by the sea on a Sunday afternoon. Even though the label was in LA, the music was the soundtrack for my time in Oakland and San Francisco. 

 

calendar

SATURDAY FEB 24
THE KNICKERBOCKER
9-11pm 
Marcos Varela, bass

TUESDAY MARCH 12
THE DRED SCOTT TRIO
BAR BAYEUX
8pm one set - session to follow
Diego Voglino, drums
bass, TBA

FRIDAY MARCH 22
CALI MAMBO
BAR LUNATICO
9 and 10:30pm
dred, piano
Tom Beckham, vibes
Moses Patrou, percussions
Matt Pavolka, bass

WEDNESDAY APRIL 24
THE DRED SCOTT TRIO
MEZZROW
7:30 and 10PM
drums and bass, tba

TUESDAY MAY 28
WITH RICK KING'S ROYAL HUSTLE
FITZGERALD'S/CHICAGO

WEDNESDAY MAY 29
THE WESTPORT COFFEEHOUSE/KANSAS CITY
Dred - keyboards
Matt Otto - tenor saxophone, electronics
Chuck McKinnon - trumpet, elctronics
Ben Tervort - bass
Jaylen Ward - drums
 

THURSDAY MAY 30
THE DRED SCOTT TRIO
NOCTURNE/DENVER
Mike Marlier, drums
Gonzalo Teppa, bass

SATURDAY JUNE 1
THE DRED SCOTT TRIO
MOODY'S/TRUCKEE, CA
bass and drums, tba

FRIDAY JUNE 28
THE DRED SCOTT TRIO
MR. TIPPLE'S/SAN FRANCISCO
6-8:30pm
bass and drums, tba

SATURDAY AUGUST 3
THE DRED SCOTT TRIO
BIRD AND BECKETT BOOKS/SAN FRANCISCO
 7:30-9:30pm
bass and drums, tba 

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 6
DRED SCOTT'S FREEDOM JAZZ
THE BACK ROOM - BERKELEY
 





HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

My 60th revolution around our sun is complete. I have big plans and high hopes for this my diamond anniversary year. What they are I can't say because I don't know myself yet. But I have a feeling. 60 is going to be big. And old.

Just in….I've agreed to be the Musical Director and drummer for the San Francisco Mime Troupe's 60th year of free shows in the Bay Area parks. Actually, the 60th anniversary was in 2019 but they didn't do a park show during Covid for two years. So this year is technically, the 62nd season. I'm going with the whole 60 thing. Anyway, I'll be working on the show and playing around town from June-August. 

Meanwhile…
It's a private restaurant in a luxury high-rise on billionaire's row just for the tenants, their family and guests. I don't mention it because you can't go there. I'm mentioning it now because I want people to know I'm a lot busier than they might think. There are 3-5 shifts a week depending on the season and while I don't play all of them - and they are dark Friday and Saturday - I book the room and play there as often as I feel is appropriate. I see the same faces all the time - got to change it up. So I've been calling my tango friends, my Brazilian friends, my classical friends, my funky Nola friends and I started a band called, Cali Mambo, that features vibes and percussion inspired by George Shearing Quintet albums w Cal Tjader and Emil Richards on vibes of the 1950's. Recording releasing on Ropeadope this May.  
 

 

 

In other news...

I WROTE A BOOK……!

A funny and irreverent collection of autobiographical stories chronicling the life and times of musician Dred Scott. From his rebellious catholic school years, to gigs with famous artists like Patti Smith, Courtney Love, and Mary K. Blige. Chance encounters with celebrities like Lou Reed, Paul Shaffer, and Amy Sedaris. Weed-fueled misadventures with random denizens of New York City. Tales of travels, family, at least one hooker, and two marriages. Nate Chinen of the New York Times called Dred Scott “…a sly pianist-raconteur.” Drummer Anthony Pinciotti remarked, “50,000 is a gross underestimation.” 

"Absolutely funny, clever, serious, tender, shocking, absorbing! Your powers of observation and your ability to express them are fantastic. Very easy to imagine faces, places and personalities and situations. Every musician and layperson interested in the jazz life should read. "               
Alan Broadbent, musician

"Kudos to Dred Scott – I can’t write anything after 5 bonghits, let alone 50,000!"      
Guido the Clown

A hilariously entertaining read from a guy who’s seen a lot in the course of being a terrific musician.       
Kay Cordtz, writer                                                                                                 

"...had a ball reading it. Very funny (I expected no less), thoughtful, unexpectedly moving in places....You make it look easy. You got a way with words, boy!"        
Nelson Kim, filmmaker                                                                                       

"I am reading his book slowly because it's a fine wine of observations, scathing satire, a lot of love and appreciation for life in a fascinating portrait of a musician and insightful man in the margin of the various places, cultures, scenes and circumstances his talent sends him. I love this book."             
Don Bajema, writer

                                                                                                                          
YOU CAN BUY AN EBOOK OR PAPERBACK HERE.

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