Knoel Scott

Knoel Scott (born July 18, 1956) is an American jazz saxophonist, composer and bandleader. He plays baritone, tenor and alto saxophone in addition to flute, while his live performances often include singing and dancing. He is best known for his work with keyboardist/bandleader Sun Ra and is an original member of the Sun Ra Arkestra under the direction of Marshall Allen.

Background

Knoel Scott was born Noel Scott on July 18, 1956, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Brooks and Kathaniel Walker Scott. His father Brooks Scott is listed as deceased on Scott's birth certificate, and he was raised by Robert and Edith Nero in Jamaica, Queens. Scott studied additionally at Jazzmobile with such musicians as Frank Foster, Charles Davis, John Stubblefield and Lisle Atkinson.

Sun Ra Arkestra

Scott auditioned for Sun Ra in July 1979, having first heard the Arkestra at the Beacon Theatre in 1977–78. Scott said in a 2011 interview that he "immediately decided that membership in the Arkestra would be [his] life's dream."

Reviewing a 2015 appearance by the Knoel Scott Quartet (KSQ) at the 100 Club in London, Kevin Le Gendre wrote: "Although his main CV credit, mainstay of the Sun Ra Arkestra for the best part of four decades, may suggest that he comes from one of the most singular of locations on the landscape of African-American music, the saxophonist unveils a much wider set of references. In his tails and engaging stage presence we see a shade of Cab Calloway; in the unabashed romanticism of his singing, particularly on the second set highlight 'Don't Misunderstand' we feel the spirit of Nat 'King' Cole; and in the bulk of the material we hear extensions of Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie’s bebop innovations.... Scott, and this is the most impressive thing about the performance, provides an all too rare display of how all of the aforesaid disparate historic characters are part of a bigger, coherent story."

Matthew Ruddick's review of the same evening reads in part: "the audience is treated to fluid brew of bop, swing, [L[atin strolls and free jazz fireworks. There is a whiff of Pharaoh Sanders in Scott's alto sax [...] Scott is a bit of a mover and he throws a few shapes whilst his charges show off their chops. He is also blessed with a fine bluesy baritone voice and he managed to bathe the room in film noire [sic] longing..."