Possessing a warm, expressive sound, an energetic rhythmic feel, and formidable melodic and harmonic insight, saxophonist Scott Burns has been a fixture on the Chicago jazz scene since moving to the city in 1998. A native of Dayton, Ohio, Scott began his education and professional career in jazz in nearby Cincinnati. After graduating at the top of his class from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Scott became an in-demand player in the greater Cincinnati/Dayton area. Performance credits include regular appearances as both leader and sideman at the landmark Blue Wisp Jazz Club, performances with powerhouse drummer John von Ohlen & the Blue Wisp Big Band, the PsychoAcoustic Orchestra, and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. He also performed in concert alongside legendary jazz trumpeter Clark Terry as part of a Cincinnati jazz series.
In 1998, Scott moved to Chicago to attend DePaul University’s Masters of Music program. While playing with DePaul’s award-winning jazz ensemble, Scott was a prominently featured soloist alongside legendary jazz performers Joe Lovano, Tom Harrell, Kenny Werner, Louis Bellson and Nicholas Payton, and received an outstanding soloist award from Down Beat magazine in 1999. As an established member of the local jazz scene, Scott frequently shares the stage with veteran Chicago jazz musicians, including Jodie Christian, Ron Perrillo, Jeff Parker, George Fludas, Dana Hall, Kelly Sill, Paulinho Garcia, Bobby Broom, and others. He has performed with the Chicago Jazz Ensemble under the direction of the late William Russo, and the Chicago Jazz Orchestra with guest saxophonists Von Freeman and Charles McPherson, pianist John Campbell, and vocalists Judy Roberts and Kurt Elling. Scott has toured nationally, playing select dates with legendary singer Harry Connick Jr., as well as with the jazz/blues/soul band the Mighty Blue Kings, headlining major festivals & venues including JVC Jazz Fest, Newport Jazz Fest, the House of Blues, Chicago Blues Festival, and others. Recently, he has appeared with international jazz artists David Hazeltine and Ira Sullivan.
Scott’s debut CD as a leader, Passages, was released on Origin Records and features his original compositions. The album has received critical acclaim both locally and nationally, and has been broadcasted across the nation. Scott Burns can currently be seen and heard performing at festivals and venues throughout the Midwest region.