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Whitfield, Scott

 

Scott Whitfield (trombonist, composer, arranger, and vocalist) is internationally recognized for his work with many contemporary big bands, including those of Toshiko Akiyoshi, Johnny Mandel, Clare Fischer, Bill Holman, Bob Florence, and his own Scott Whitfield Jazz Orchestras (East and West). Whitfield’s discography includes 10 recordings as leader and more than 50 recordings with other artists.  In addition to his own recordings, his compositions and arrangements have been performed and recorded by such diverse artists as Diva, Maurice Hines, The Pied Pipers, Bill Allred’s Classic Jazz Band, The Four Freshmen, and the New York Pops, Omaha Symphony, and London Symphony Orchestras.
A clinician and guest artist for Getzen trombones, Whitfield has appeared throughout the world, from Australia to Zurich, sharing his expertise on trombone technique, improvisation, composition, arranging, and jazz history.  He was featured as guest soloist with the United States Army Blues Jazz Ensemble at the 2007 Eastern Trombone Workshop.  His transcription book “The J.J. Johnson Collection” (published by Hal Leonard) has inspired not only trombonists, but also jazz improvisers on many instruments, young and old.  He is a proud member of the jazz faculty at California State University, Northridge.
Upon settling in New York in 1993, Whitfield became a member of the Nat Adderley Sextet, which also included Jimmy Cobb, Walter Booker, Vincent Herring and Rob Bargad.  The group’s engagements at Sweet Basil led to fruitful associations with Nnenna Freelon, Frank Wess, Lionel Hampton, Wayne Andre, and many others.  Whitfield has also performed in many Broadway show orchestras, and backed the likes of Robert Goulet, Rita Moreno, Marilyn McCoo, Vic Damone, Jack Jones, and Frank Sinatra, Jr.  More recently, he was part of the orchestra at the Hollywood Bowl for a special seventieth birthday tribute to Nancy Wilson, which also featured Nnenna Freelon, Patti Austin, James Ingram, Tom Scott, Terence Blanchard, Natalie Cole, and a host of others.
The Scott Whitfield Jazz Orchestra (first founded in 1986, while Whitfield was pursuing his Master’s degree at North Texas State University) now has two incarnations:  the SWJO East, based in New York; and the SWJO West, based in Los Angeles.  Both of these aggregations feature the top players in the business. 
For more than a year, the Scott Whitfield Jazz Orchestra East was in residence at New York’s Birdland, the Jazz Corner of the World, culminating in the exciting “Live at Birdland” CD, released in April 2004 on Summit Records.  “The Minute Game,” featuring the SWJO West, was released in February 2005, and features Whitfield’s groundbreaking composition “Hiccups.”  Most recently, “Diamonds For Nat,” released in February 2006, is a special 75th Birthday tribute to Whitfield’s mentor, the late Nat Adderley, featuring the SWJO East once again.  The CD skyrocketed to number five in jazz radio airplay in its third week!
Vocally, Whitfield has been surrounded by vocal groups for most of his career, serving as Musical Director and bass singer for BOTH The Pied Pipers AND The Modernaires to this very day.  His playing and arranging were also featured on “The Four Freshmen And Live Trombones”, recorded live at the West Coast Jazz Party.
Scott Whitfield makes his home in Los Angeles. His playing, writing, and singing have been compared to that of some of his biggest influences, including Carl Fontana, Frank Rosolino, Thad Jones, Sammy Nestico, Mel Torme, and Jack Jones.

 

Scott Whitfield (trombonist, composer, arranger, and vocalist) is internationally recognized for his work with many contemporary big bands, including those of Toshiko Akiyoshi, Johnny Mandel, Clare Fischer, Bill Holman, Bob Florence, and his own Scott Whitfield Jazz Orchestras (East and West). Whitfield’s discography includes 10 recordings as leader and more than 50 recordings with other artists.  In addition to his own recordings, his compositions and arrangements have been performed and recorded by such diverse artists as Diva, Maurice Hines, The Pied Pipers, Bill Allred’s Classic Jazz Band, The Four Freshmen, and the New York Pops, Omaha Symphony, and London Symphony Orchestras.

A clinician and guest artist for Getzen trombones, Whitfield has appeared throughout the world, from Australia to Zurich, sharing his expertise on trombone technique, improvisation, composition, arranging, and jazz history.  He was featured as guest soloist with the United States Army Blues Jazz Ensemble at the 2007 Eastern Trombone Workshop.  His transcription book “The J.J. Johnson Collection” (published by Hal Leonard) has inspired not only trombonists, but also jazz improvisers on many instruments, young and old.  He is a proud member of the jazz faculty at California State University, Northridge.

Upon settling in New York in 1993, Whitfield became a member of the Nat Adderley Sextet, which also included Jimmy Cobb, Walter Booker, Vincent Herring and Rob Bargad.  The group’s engagements at Sweet Basil led to fruitful associations with Nnenna Freelon, Frank Wess, Lionel Hampton, Wayne Andre, and many others.  Whitfield has also performed in many Broadway show orchestras, and backed the likes of Robert Goulet, Rita Moreno, Marilyn McCoo, Vic Damone, Jack Jones, and Frank Sinatra, Jr.  More recently, he was part of the orchestra at the Hollywood Bowl for a special seventieth birthday tribute to Nancy Wilson, which also featured Nnenna Freelon, Patti Austin, James Ingram, Tom Scott, Terence Blanchard, Natalie Cole, and a host of others.

The Scott Whitfield Jazz Orchestra (first founded in 1986, while Whitfield was pursuing his Master’s degree at North Texas State University) now has two incarnations:  the SWJO East, based in New York; and the SWJO West, based in Los Angeles.  Both of these aggregations feature the top players in the business. 

For more than a year, the Scott Whitfield Jazz Orchestra East was in residence at New York’s Birdland, the Jazz Corner of the World, culminating in the exciting “Live at Birdland” CD, released in April 2004 on Summit Records.  “The Minute Game,” featuring the SWJO West, was released in February 2005, and features Whitfield’s groundbreaking composition “Hiccups.”  Most recently, “Diamonds For Nat,” released in February 2006, is a special 75th Birthday tribute to Whitfield’s mentor, the late Nat Adderley, featuring the SWJO East once again.  The CD skyrocketed to number five in jazz radio airplay in its third week!

Vocally, Whitfield has been surrounded by vocal groups for most of his career, serving as Musical Director and bass singer for BOTH The Pied Pipers AND The Modernaires to this very day.  His playing and arranging were also featured on “The Four Freshmen And Live Trombones”, recorded live at the West Coast Jazz Party.

Scott Whitfield makes his home in Los Angeles. His playing, writing, and singing have been compared to that of some of his biggest influences, including Carl Fontana, Frank Rosolino, Thad Jones, Sammy Nestico, Mel Torme, and Jack Jones.