Showtimes are at 7:30p & 9:30p for this performance.
(Seatings begin at 5p & 8:45p respectively)
*************************************************************************************************
Scott Gwinnell is an award-winning pianist, composer/arranger, and educator born in Detroit, and residing in the Metro-Detroit area. He currently freelances as a sideman and leads various groups; the most well-known being the 16-piece Scott Gwinnell Jazz Orchestra. Scott is also an educator at various institutions.
After attending Western Michigan University and Wayne State University, where Scott received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree, he started to play in the bands of Steve Wood, Larry Nozero, Marcus Belgrave, and Brad Felt. At Wayne State, Scott studied with piano master, Matt Michaels, and vibist, Rob Pipho, who gave him a well-rounded jazz education.
Around the same time, Scott begun his own 16-piece big band, Scott Gwinnell Jazz Orchestra, to be the outlet for his arrangements. The SGJO, started in 1999 at the Music Menu Café, before moving to the Cadieux Café, and Cliff Bells. Now in its 22nd year, recorded three CDs, Basement Vibes, Brush Fire, and Mulgrew-ology; the latter winning awards from the Detroit Music Awards for best recording, and best jazz group. Mulgrew-ology rose to #32 on the national jazz-charts with recognition from organizations around the world. “The band is tight, the spirited arrangements lean, listenable, and balanced.” (Jazz.com) Highlight events for the SGJO are performances at the International Association of Jazz Educators conference at Toronto, Canada with saxophonist Dave Liebman, and performances at Detroit Jazz Festival, Cliff Bells, and Detroit Institute of Arts with jazz bass virtuoso, John Clayton. The SGJO premiered Clayton’s 45 min. suite, T.H.E. Detroit at the festival in 2009, meeting high acclaim.
In his career as a pianist, Scott has played with many musical people of note, jazz and otherwise, including Aretha Franklin, Vanessa Williams, Sheena Easton, Roberta Flack, Joe Lovano, Steve Turre, Richie Cole, Dave Liebman, John Clayton, Karriem Riggins, and Jon Hendricks. Scott was music director for Jon for three years. He has recorded over 30 professional recordings as a sideman and has recorded four of his own, including, Cass Corridor Story (2012) and Mulgrew-ology (2019), released by Detroit Music Factory, a part of the world-famous Mack Ave. jazz label. In 2009 and 2011, Scott was the music director for Music Hall’s Cars and Stars, directing shows for Sheena Easton and Elaine Stritch.
As a BMI composer, Scott has written over 400 compositions, from solo piano works to big band, to symphony orchestra to marching band. He has won awards and/or been recognized by Downbeat Magazine, IAJE, ASCAP, and the Detroit Music Awards. The DMAs have awarded Scott 16 times. Scott continues to compose, arrange, and freelance for clients, writing in every type and style.