Cover story: Greg Scott returns home with funky soul music

By BRUCE SMITH-PETERS - The Buzz
Posted: 12/03/2009 12:00:00 AM PST

CHICO -- It's been a while since Greg Scott was making music in Chico. The native son left six years ago for the greener pastures of the Bay Area, a move he doesn't regret.

"San Francisco has grit; San Francisco has variety, a multicultural vibe. Being around all that culture I've grown tenfold, not just a little bit. It's opened my ears up," he said in a recent telephone interview.

On Tuesday, his hometown will get a chance to see what he's been up to for all these years when he brings the soul, R&B and funk of his 9-piece Greg Scott Band to the Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Big Room.

Growing up in Chico as the son of rock and soul singer Greg Scott, he was out on a stage at age 9 and playing his own sets during his dad's shows as a teenager. After putting together his own band and releasing a CD, Scott made the move to the Bay at age 20.

From his base in San Rafael, he has since become a fixture on the local music scene, winning over discerning music lovers and professionals alike with his brand of blue-eyed soul.

Among the converted is Grammy Award winner Roberta Flack, who heard a recording and flew Scott to New York City in order to meet the man who seemed to be channeling her late duet partner, Donny Hathaway. Flack had him sing for students at her music school in the Bronx and at a local club, where he brought around an initially skeptical audience wondering just what this white boy could do.

Also impressed is Narada Michael Walden, one of Billboard Magazine's Top Ten Producers of all time who has worked with everyone from Stevie Wonder to Jeff Beck, and the divas Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey.

In an e-mail Walden wrote, "Greg is a bad cat. I'm looking forward to weaving precious magic in sound with him." That's a positive omen for the future of an artist whose career just might be about to take off.

He released his second disc, "Bring Me Back," in May. Big Fish Digital, a Los Angeles distribution company, "is waiting on media from me and a green light to do full-throttle promotions." To that end, the show at the Big Room will be videotaped. "We've also been filming recording sessions and rehearsals," Scott said, as they prepare "to storm the internet. They're just waiting for product."

So he's going to pull out all the stops for the Chico show.

"I'll be conducting a one night only special presentation of what I've been working on for six years." There will be some of the theatrics of classic funk, dance moves a la The Temptations, and three vocalists who "as a unit sound like a mini gospel choir. We'll be bringing the funk but a whole lot of soul, too."

They'll also be getting into the spirit of the season with a few Christmas songs, including a local favorite from a well-known special guest.

When it's all said and done it should be quite a homecoming for Greg Scott and perhaps the start of a new beginning for him as well.

August 3, 2009

JFM Presents: First of all, I want to thank you, again, for being part of my “We Got The Funk” series @ Yoshi’s San Francisco last June. From start to finish, working with you and your manager Michael Aczon has been, and continues to be, simply beautiful (you both know I suffer from musical tourettes!) Just prior to the our series, you made it clear during an interview with Ricky Vincent of KPFA that your father Greg Scott is a musician; that you dropped the “II” and stole his name. (I had to stop from LOL when you said that). When did you make this decision, and why?

Greg Scott: I made the decision to drop the “II” after I moved here to the Bay Area 7 years ago. The reason for it was simple. Every person I introduced myself to had the same question: “What’s the II for…?” See, in Chico CA, my hometown, it was needed because my Dad is pretty famous around those parts and it separated our music publicly. It gave me my own identity. I love you Dad…(LOL)

JFM Presents: Your headline performance during my “We Got The Funk” series was comparable to a full production arena-ready event. What is your approach to live performances?

Greg Scott: Thank you for such a nice compliment, Lisa…that was such a fun show! Whether it’s a small venue with 3 people in it or the Oakland Coliseum with every seat filled, I give it my all. Good musicianship is just not enough. I grew up being turned on by colorful, theatrical acts like Prince who combined virtuosity with the thrill of live, in the moment energy. I have this theatrical rollercoaster running through my brain that I try to share with everyone who comes to see me play.

JFM Presents: How much of an impact did your father have on your career? Specifically, did you go on tour with him? Perform on stage with him?

Greg Scott: My Dad is the reason for me going for it every time I step on stage. If you were to see him lay it down you’ll know what I’m talkin’ about. The man is on fire and will be ignited til’ his last breath. He never forced it on me… he didn’t have to. He had to pry the mic out of my hands. Any and every show he did, I was there waiting in the wings to go on. When I was 13 he gave me the chance to have a full set to myself. I could conduct the band by myself (but pops never left the stage, I always wanted him there to sing backup).

JFM Presents: Your CD “Bring Me Back” was released May 2009 independently and consists of ten original tracks. What is the overall concept and/or vision behind this release?

Greg Scott: This release has many meanings but with one concept in mind and it’s in the title “Bring Me Back.” Bring me back to a time when music was real… with all the technology in the world and in music sometimes things can get stale, become unoriginal and fake. This record simply says TRUTH. Blood, sweat and many tears went into to this ART when things could have been made easier/faster with the tools that almost any musician can get. I chose to use the natural gifts that I’m so grateful to have been given to me.

JFM Presents: The last time I played a videogame was Wii boxing, and that was spring 2008, so tell me about Encore 2. What type of videogame is it? Is it just your voice, or is one of the tracks from “Bring Me Back” used? Please elaborate.

Greg Scott: Encore 2 is the sequel to the American Idol Video game “Encore.” My voice is featured on the hit song “Eye of the Tiger.” The game is just like the T.V. show - you have to sing along with the vocalist in front of the judges and you get a score on how close you get to sound like the vocalist on the track… Go ahead and battle me but I must warn you I tried it and I got a “Good.” Simon can’t be trusted. (LOL)

JFM Presents: Last month, you made a return visit to the Boys & Girls Club of the North Valley in Chico. As a child, were you a member of any youth organizations, and if so, which one(s)? Why is it important to you to visit organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club?

Greg Scott: I was a member of the Boys & Girls club for a couple summers when I was kid… I think that was my parents trying to get me out of the house and out of their hair! I felt it was MOST important to reach out and spend time with the future. The kids today get fed, in my opinion, a very high percentage of uninspiring things. This was my chance to open their dreams up and help them see they can be realized. It was a success. The minute the interview got underway 70+ children raised their hands and at that minute I knew I could get through to them. For over 2 hours we went through every step of making a dream happen!

JFM Presents: Finally, what can people expect to see at your Yoshi’s Oakland performance, and how will it differ from your June 2009 Yoshi’s San Francisco performance?

Greg Scott: Well for those of you who missed the SF Yoshi’s show I’ll be bringing back some of the same tunes and personnel. But, those of you who roll with me know, I ALWAYS have to mix things up, I’m always writing new music. I have a hard time playing the same songs night after night… So, I wrote a new tune last week that I think will fit nicely in the grooves of the set. Y’all look out for “NEON GIRL”. Most of all look out for another bangin’ set straight from the soul and TRUE life. GSB is guaranteed to satisfy! 


Greg Scott- Vocals/Keys/Guitar
Aaron Green- Drums
Angeline Saris- Bass
Ashling Cole- Vocals
Bill Hampton- Guitar
Maya Kronfeld- Keys
Sakai - vocals
Chris Detrick- Electronic Percussionist

Greg Scott
Thursday, August 20, 2009
10PM $14 Yoshi’s Oakland
510 Embarcadero West Oakland, CA 94607
Box Office: 510.238.9200
http://www.yoshis.com/oakland/jazzclub/artistpopup?showid=837