Born in Chicago, Scott May has been at or near an organ console most of his life. Upon starting lessons with Dorothy Banyard at age seven, his Grandfather gave him a copy of “Pipe Organ Magic” by Jesse Crawford, and his Uncle donated the 4-disc set of Leon Berry’s “Glockenspiels, Traps, and Plenty of Pipes”. That was all it took.
Moving on to teacher Allan Day in 1968, Scott had his first encounter with a Mighty Wurlitzer. At 15, he was one of the youngest-ever members of the American Theatre Organ Society. A burgeoning interest in electronic music and Rock and Roll took Scott away from the King of Instruments, and from 1974 to 1981, Scott taught himself the guitar and played in various successful Chicago Rock groups, coming very close to a national recording contract, but not quite. A brief sabbatical from performing music lasted until 1985.
A chance visit to a local nightclub where comedian Emo Philips happened to be performing put the comedy bug into Scott. Before long, he was Comedienne Judy Tenuta’s Musical Director. This job took Scott throughout the United States, scoring Judy’s Comedy Albums (One of which was Grammy Nominated), Television Specials and Concerts. The love affair with the Theatre Organ was rekindled when Scott manned the console at Radio City Music Hall for a sold-out Judy concert there.
As Judy’s travels slowed, Scott found a home as the Musical Director for the then white-hot Funny Firm Comedy Club in Chicago. Here, the cream of the nation’s comedy crop passed through the doors, and, as live musical accompaniment was a rarity for these comics, most found a reason to “play” with Scott. As a result, Scott moved on to working with a host of other comedians on their Television Specials and Albums.
During this period, Scott scored two feature films, one of which was the original “Meet The Parents” (the Robert DeNiro hit is actually a re-make!). Scott also began a four-year association with WLUP-FM radio as a sidekick for Kevin Matthews and featured guest on many of their then top-rated shows.
A guest on one of Kevin’s shows was the legendary Talk-show host Morton Downey, Jr., who lured Scott away to become a sidekick on his nationally-syndicated Radio show, going on to be the musical director for Mort’s last Television series. From there, host Richard Jeni and the A&E cable network tapped Scott to be the “house band” for the last two seasons of “Caroline’s Comedy Hour”.
In 1990, Rock and Roll came calling again when the venerable Chicago group “The Ides Of March” regrouped for a hometown concert in Berwyn, Il., and asked Scott to play Hammond B3 for them. Coming from the same suburb, they were his heroes when they scored their brass-driven #1 hit “Vehicle” in 1970. Jumping at the chance to play with his longtime friends, the reunion proved to be a hit. The Ides of March (with all the original members intact) remain together as a vital recording and concert attraction to this very day.
Throughout the 90’s and into the new Century, Scott has expanded his scope to include freelance writing and production, while maintaining a schedule of sessions, jingles and live shows. 2000 brought a fresh challenge in the guise of Children’s entertainment. As Creative Director of the Longhill Entertainment Group, Scott wrote, produced, and directed seventeen Children’s books, twelve long-form audio stories and three full-length Music albums (two of which have won National Awards). Scott has also co-written books on topics ranging from Weight-Loss to Financial Planning.
A lifelong “Foodie”, Scott has been elected “Elite” on Yelp.com, based on his unique reviews of Restaurants.
In 2008, Scott officially became an associate for the Hammond Organ Company, after a long casual involvement. As Artist Liaison. Senior Product Specialist and International Clinician, his duties bring him in contact with many of the top Keyboard players in every genre, and traveling throughout North America and Canada mounting Seminars and Clinics for the public and Hammond’s dealers. His creative abilities are also harnessed in his duties as Hammond’s USA Webmaster and Writer/Producer/Director of all the product and training videos under the Hammond USA umbrella, with much of his work shared by Hammond International Divisions. Scott has also been featured in many product videos for Hammond’s top US dealers.
Scott has released 2 “solo” albums on his own “QZQ Records” label. “Outside The Inside” and “Isle Of View”. Available at Scott’s website, Amazon, and all online music outlets.
Artist enquiries:smay@hammondorganco.com
Please send EPK and short essay regarding your desire to become a Hammond Artist, and what you hope to gain by officially joining the Hammond Family
