Collection: BOBBY SCOTT: THE JAZZ HERITAGE SOCIETY RECORDINGS

Bobby Scott was a highly regarded American musician, composer, arranger, and producer whose multifaceted talents spanned jazz and pop across several decades. Primarily known as a pianist and songwriter, Scott possessed a sophisticated musical sensibility that informed his work both behind the scenes and as a performer.

Born Robert William Scott in Mount Pleasant, New York, he was a prodigy who studied with Edvard Moritz and began working professionally in his teens. He established himself in the New York jazz scene of the 1950s, playing piano and vibraphone, and recording with luminaries like Gene Krupa and Quincy Jones.

Scott achieved his most enduring fame as a songwriter. He co-wrote the instrumental standard "A Taste of Honey" with Ric Marlow in 1960, which earned them the Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Theme in 1963 and became a major hit for Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass (and later The Beatles with added lyrics). His other monumental contribution was co-writing the timeless ballad "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" with Bob Russell, famously recorded by The Hollies and countless others.

Beyond these iconic hits, Scott was a sought-after arranger and producer, contributing his skills to recordings by artists such as Aretha Franklin, Wes Montgomery, and Tony Bennett. He also maintained a career as a recording artist, releasing numerous albums showcasing his vocal and instrumental talents, often blending jazz foundations with pop sensibilities.

Though perhaps not a household name as a performer, Bobby Scott's legacy is cemented through his classic compositions and his significant, versatile contributions to the landscape of 20th-century American music. He passed away from lung cancer in 1990 at the age of 53.