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San Diego, California native Scott Hall began playing the saxophone at the age of ten. When in high school, he was introduced to the large jazz orchestra and immediately became hooked. He began studying with locally renowned saxophone teacher Dick Harvey, a former member of the Artie Shaw Orchestra. Scott was a founding member of the San Diego Youth Jazz Band, and while playing with them he gained the opportunity to play in San Diego’s best professional big band, the Big Band Jazz Machine. Following his love for music, after high school in 1999 he enrolled in the world renowned jazz program at The University of North Texas. While at North Texas he performed with many local bands including The Dallas Jazz Orchestra. Along with performing, he was sought as a private instructor and was also a panel judge for the Texas High School All-State Jazz Ensemble. After his second year at North Texas, he was selected to be a member of the prestigious Disney Collegiate All-Star Band in the summer of 2001. Following his studies at The University of North Texas, he went on to study at California State University, Sacramento. This is where he discovered his love for and true passion for playing the alto saxophone. He played lead alto in top jazz ensemble for the two years that he attended school there, and was also a member of a jazz quartet featuring one of the jazz faculty; accomplished bassist Matt Robinson. In January of 2004 he was selected to be a member of the California State University All-State Jazz Ensemble, assembled with the best musicians from the 23 California State University campuses. This ensemble was directed by a number of the jazz program directors from the schools, and featured original arrangements specifically for the band. Alongside his playing at California State University, Sacramento, Scott was able to complete his Bachelor of Arts degree in Government, with Cum Laude honors. He regards this as being one of the most proud accomplishments of his life. Following graduation, he relocated to The Capital District of Albany, New York. He is still new to Albany, but is getting to know most of the musicians in the area. He has had the chance to sit in with many of the local groups such as Sensemaya, The New Regime, The Brian Patneaude Quartet, The Tim Olsen Group, and The Adrian Cohen Quartet. With time, he hopes to gain a spot in the jazz scene of the Capital Region. Scott has played every one of the saxophone family at one time or another, but his true love is playing the alto. He attributes a great deal of credit for his playing style to the music of Charlie Parker and Cannonball Adderley. He also notes many other influences including Michael Brecker, Bob Berg, Chris Potter, Joshua Redman, Kenny Garrett, David Sanborn, Ronnie Cuber, Gary Smulyan, and Joe Lovano. He credits his lead alto playing ability to his love for the Mel Lewis/Thad Jones (Vanguard) Orchestra, with Dick Oatts and Gary Smulyan being especially strong influences. He also would like to specially thank James Moody, for the incredible influence he has had on both his personal and playing life. Scott has played professionally in San Diego, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Dallas, and now Upstate New York. His performance credits include Ingrid Jensen, Andrew Speight, Christopher Holyday, Nancy Kelly, Bob Florence, Greg Field, Steve Houghton, Rick Baptist, Wayne Bergeron, Sal Lozano, Jeff Kashiwa, Tom Kubis, Alex Iles, Jiggs Whigham, George Roberts, Tom Rainer, Miles Osland, Shelly Berg, Ron McCurdy, Dave Eshelman, Jeff Benedict, Dallas Jazz Orchestra, Phares Corder Jazz Orchestra (Dallas, TX) and The Big Band Jazz Machine (San Diego). |
