 |
Atlantic Records co-founder Jerry Wexler called EC Scott "one honest to God soul singer", and he wasn’t lying! Singer, songwriter, producer, director, and entertainment mogul in training, EC Scott has dedicated more than 30 years to her craft and to the advancement of Soul and Blues music. Having developed her own style, EC’s music conveys just as much playful sass as seductive charm. She possesses a warm, inviting voice and a delivery that can be smooth and sultry one minute - sassy and sexy the next. In the tradition of the great female performers before her, EC’s music tells it like it is with intelligence, humor and gusto. Where she stakes her own claim is with original music that has an old school R&B flavor, approached from a completely modern perspective. An Oakland, California native, E.C. embraced her talents while singing at St. John Missionary Baptist Church. Later, after witnessing performances by gospel singers Shirley Caesar and Inez Andrews, E.C. caught the performance bug. "I thought their world was fascinating and I wanted to be part of it," she says. For E.C., singing became a "way of releasing, and, hearing myself sing was a form of entertainment." Her mother forbid secular music in the house but her older sisters' radio proved a lifeline. "I was introduced to the hip stuff. I always wanted to do that, but it was so taboo. I felt I'd go blind or I'd be crippled the next day if I sang blues. I shied away from it for many, many years." |
At the tender age of 16, E. C. began her secular career. In local nightclubs she quickly developed a following as a star in the making, but opted to marry and raise a family instead. When her children reached school age, she opted to resume her career. "I just sat them down and told them, 'Look, this is something I was doing before you met me and I'd like to start singing again.' They thought it was a great idea and told me to go for it. They've been behind me all the way. They've been a great help." Initially a Jazz singer, it left her unfulfilled. "I had too much energy for jazz. I'd finish my show and want to go find someone else's show to sing in." Soon she drifted back to R&B, where she felt more at home, and she’s been making an impact ever since. A nine-time Handy Award nominee, E.C. has shared the stage with household names like Ray Charles, Patti La Belle, and Lou Rawls. With her band, Smoke, E.C. Scott has built a dedicated following in the San Francisco Bay Area and has been honored with two time Real Blues Awards (best Live and best West Coast Blues Female), two West Coat Blues Hall of Fame awards (Band Leader of the Year and Female Vocalist, Blues) and ultimately The Bay Area Blues Society’s Female Performer of the Year award. E.C. has recently expanded her resume even farther! As the creator and driving force behind ECS Productions, EC Scott has added entertainment Renaissance woman to her list of credits. |
|
