Faith in Time: The Life of Jimmy Scott

By David Ritz

Book Overview

The voice of Jimmy Scott is one of the world's most mesmerizing instruments, transcending gender and age. But its beauty is inextricably entwined with pain, hardship, and tragedy-yet Scott's resilience made his life a story of triumph. Born in Cleveland in 1925, Scott was orphaned as a teenager, and suffered from Kallman's syndrome, which kept his voice unnaturally high. He toured with Lionel Hampton in the '40s and recorded for Savoy Records. In 1962 Ray Charles produced and played on what many agree was Scott's best album, Falling in Love Is Wonderful , and a career breakthrough seemed imminent. But it was not to be, and Scott returned to Cleveland to work as an orderly and a shipping clerk-until he was rediscovered performing at his friend Doc Pomus's funeral in March of 1991. Acclaimed biographer David Ritz, with Scott's cooperation, has created a poignant portrait of a man whose voice cuts to the sadness and hope within us all. Faith in Time resonates like a haunting melody.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0306812290
• ISBN13: 9780306812293
• Release Date: September 2003
• Publisher: Da Capo
• Length: 296 Pages
• Weight: 0.91 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

This is my introduction to Jimmy Scott

Lemme say I was not that big nor was a fan to Jimmy until I got to know instanly. This marks as a first-time lover or beginner to the legendary of Jazz, Blues and all other types of music, Mr. Jimmy Scott. Everybody's been talking 'bout him. 'Cuz he sure has a sweet and sensational voice, one's whose range that can stand tall from anybody. Nobody gonna get this or learn more about the man unless they read this book 'cuz it'll take further than is has. I once dug him while singing a song on David Sanborn's CD "Pearls" and it's pretty amazing on how he sounds 'cuz I thought at 1st it was a lady singing like Oleta Adams or so but now it's a male who can sing like a lady blues singer or a jazz singer. I'm talkin' bout Jimmy Scott man!!! To me, I've been thinking 'bout bein' a journalist or writer somehow in the future if that's what's on my mind a minute ago. 'Cuz I'ma be like the black version or next coming of David Ritz, Gary Giddins, Quincy Troupe, Mike Dyson, Nelson George, among others. Bravo to Bro. David Ritz for doing such a good job on this extradionary book. I wish more from him in the future.

A gripping biography which reads like a novel

Musicians will also enjoy David Ritz's Faith In Time, a survey of the life of Jimmy Scott. Orphaned as a teen and suffering from a syndrome which kept his voice unnaturally high, he toured with Lionel Hampton in the 1940s and achieved a career breakthrough twenty years later - then went back to being an orderly and shipping clerk. Faith In Time recounts his rise and fall, providing a gripping biography which reads like a novel with its action and insights.