Veteran jazz singer Jimmy Scott died in his sleep of cardiac failure at his home in Las Vegas on Thursday 2014-06-12. He was 88.
When he sang Jimmy Scott used his contralto voice and unique phrasing to fill it with the experiences of his long, sometimes difficult life. It's no wonder that singers such as Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Nancy Wilson and Frank Sinatra credit him as one of their influences.
I was privileged to hear Jimmy Scott live at the Blue Note in 2011. Even at the age of 85 he delivered a memorable performance.
Here's a taste of Jimmy Scott's artistry: