Shirley Scott (March 14, 1934 – March 10, 2002) was an American jazz organist. Her music was noted for its mixture of bebop, blues, and gospel elements. She was known by the nickname "Queen of the Organ".

Life and career

Scott was born in Philadelphia. Her father operated a jazz club in the basement of the family home and her brother played saxophone. At the age of eight, Scott began taking piano lessons. After enrolling at the Philadelphia High School for Girls, where she was awarded a scholarship, Scott switched to playing trumpet and performed in the all-city schools band. She received bachelor and master's degrees at Cheyney University in Cheyney, Pennsylvania west of Philadelphia. Later in life Scott returned to the university as a teacher. As a performer in the 1950s, she played the Hammond B-3 organ. Her recordings with Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis included the hit "In the Kitchen". Influenced by gospel and blues, she played soul jazz in the 1960s with Stanley Turrentine, who became her husband during the same decade; the couple divorced in 1971. Although organ trios declined in popularity during the 1970s, they resurged in the 1980s and she recorded again. In the 1990s, she recorded as pianist in a trio and performed at venues in Philadelphia. Scott won an $8 million settlement in 2000 against American Home Products, the manufacturers of the diet drug fen-phen. She died of heart failure in 2002.

Discography

As leader

LP/CD compilations

As sidewoman

With Stanley Turrentine With Mildred Anderson With Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis With Jimmy Forrest With Dexter Gordon With Al Grey With Joe Newman With Jimmy Rushing With Al Smith