Sample Artist Profile

© 2005 by Lynne Rhys-Jones ~ All rights reserved.

Artist Profile: Will Scruggs

Up-and-comer brings smooth touch to local jazz scene

The problem with musicians’ biographies is that they only tell about a third of the story. Will Scruggs’ bio, for example, is full of the accolades you’d expect for musicians of his stature. We’ll tell you what they are in a minute; but first, always first, must be the music. After all, fine pedigrees are sometimes assigned to mediocre musicians.

Will, who has recorded two albums with Atlanta jazz/funk band Cadillac Jones, is no mediocre talent. Effortlessly, it seems, he transforms single notes into emotions, and strings of emotions into stories. And he does it in a way that’s accessible to a broad audience, without being the slightest bit pedestrian.

Listen to the album he recently released with Jazz Fellowship and you’ll see what we mean. It’s impossible to escape the loneliness of High Road; the tenderness of O Lamb, the moodiness of Antithesis. And mellow, forward-moving Beersheba – the song with which our listeners may be most familiar – has all the earmarks of a classic. The album not only highlights Will’s own performance genius, but also his talent for choosing outstanding jazz musicians: Daniel Clay (guitar), Jose Marcano (percussion), Ali Barr (djembe), Gary Kurz (guitar), Tom Young (bass), and Damien Lewis (drums).

So do we care a whit about Will’s credentials? Well, they certainly bear witness to his talent: Will, who is an Atlanta native, began playing saxophone at an early age. By the end of high school Scruggs was first chair baritone sax in the 1998 Honor Band of America. In 2001, he was named the best college jazz musician in Georgia and Alabama. He was the first student at Emory to graduate with highest honors in jazz performance. He’s learned from the best and has, among other prestigious gigs, been a guest soloist with the Dave Brubeck Quartet. He also, we hasten to add, performs with station-owner Joe Weber.

Impressive credentials for a musician so young, wouldn’t you say? But why listen to us? Go hear him for yourself. That’ll give you all the credentials you need.

Visit Will Scruggs at www.willscruggs.com for information about coming appearances. Hear Will, along with other great artists, on AM1160.