The great Rhoda Scott began “the most beautiful instrument in the world,” the organ, at age 7, when she discovered it in a local church. She proceeded to remove her shoes and work the pedals, starting a barefoot tradition that has lasted right up until today. Here, for this 2018 performance at Jazz à Vienne, she is joined by the notorious “Lady Quartet,” made up of three supreme musicians: the drummer Julie Saury, saxophonist Sophie Alour and trumpeter Airelle Besson (who couldn't attend and is replaced by Julien Alour). Together, the music they make is punchy, characterful and laced with intricacy and musicianship from start to finish.
Rhoda remains one of the few prolific practitioners of the pedalboard on the Hammond organ. With nearly forty albums to her name, she is a veteran of her craft, able to mix a first-rate cocktail of gospel, jazz and soul well into her eighties, with a touch of the boogie sprinkled on top. Here, the “barefoot organist” offers a repertoire based on her own compositions, as well as covers of tracks by famous musicians like Ray Charles. Her three accomplices also lead their own compositions and the legendary guest, Bernard Purdie, plays his part.
Rhoda is French by adoption and loved by the Vienne audience. Though she played for a time with Count Basie, a portion of her training took place in France, under the iconic Nadia Boulanger (who also taught Quincy Jones and Michel Legrand) and she has been a French resident since the 60s.
