17.08.2017
Text: Cem Kayıran
Illustration: Saydan Akşit
Born in the capital of jazz, New Orleans, Christian Scott started making music from an early age with a confident attitude that is free from the grasp of conventional rules and habits. Referred as the Miles Davis of 21st Century since he was in his early 20s, Scott has been collaborating with inspiring musicians since the beginning of 2000’s.
Scott started playing in his uncle Donald Harrison’s orchestra when he was 13. After he took some jazz education in New Orleans, he was accepted to one of the world’s most prestigious music schools, Berklee College of Music, with a full scholarship. In this period he was also contributing to his uncle’s Paradise Found and Real Life Stories albums with his trumpet skills. He also produced the former of those records. He released his first album named after himself before he was 20 years old. In Berklee, he was mostly focusing on film music composition. He recorded albums with names such as Donald Harrison, Grace Kelly and Nnenna Freelon and later signed a deal with the prestigious Concord Records. The album that brought him international recognition, Rewind That, which included a rendition of ‘‘So What’’ by Miles Davis, came out in 2006.
After releasing Anthem album the following year, again from Concord Label, Scott expressed that he does not agree with people defining him as a jazz musician and he would rather consider himself ‘‘just a musician’’ in various interviews. Never shying away from brave fusion ideas both in composition and performance, Scott brought together a rich musical palette in his Christian aTunde Adjuah album, which marks explorations into the cultural background of his African roots.
Christian Scott - Pyrrhic Victory of aTunde Adjuah
Scott’s 2015 Stretch Music album brought a totally different approach and aesthetic for his audience. In this album, Scott built characteristic melodies upon fragile and impressive atmospheres provided by layers of electronic sounds. Using acoustic instruments with distortion effects at times for a dirtier sound, Scott created an original and highly enjoyable sound universe to explore. This year also marked the foundation of his recording label carrying the same name with the album and two more releases from the label. Both Ruler Rebel with its rhythmical experiments, surprises, abstract compositions and various remixes as well as Diaspora with its mostly hip-hop feel, are solid musical documents that proves the extend of Scott’s versatility as a musician.
Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah - New Orleanian Love Song
Christian Scott, who worked on various recordings and performances with names such as Marcus Miller, Thom Yorke and Stefon Harris, is one of the most exciting and innovative musicians of our age. We definitely recommend you to save the date for his concert at Akbank Jazz Festival!