Faith In Time: The Life Of Jimmy Scott

by David Ritz

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.

Genres: Music, Biography, Jazz

270 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 1991

Reviews

[JEAN SCOTT · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband Legendary Little Jimmy Scott not only had the voice of an Angel, he was and is an Angel.

Mrs. Jimmy Scott
**************

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don't know him-- but personally, the Greatest jazz vocalist that there's ever been. Even the singer you just thought of bowed down at the foot of his microphone-- from Billie Holiday right up through Madonna. I don't remember if my friend stole from me the first CD of his I'd heard or if I stole it from him. But I remember asking my roommates who didn't know him at all, "Which one? Sometimes I feel Like A Motherless Child or Unchained Melody?" And they chose the song they preferred and I played it, filling the living room with his voice how you might spill gold on a silk carpet. They fell into a hypnotized swoon and perhaps you will too to hear him, his unnaturally high pitched near feminine voice due to his lifelong ailment, the rare Kallman's Syndrome. Biographer David Ritz spent quality time interviewing the man for this book offering an intimate, lifelong portrait of one of the worlds greatest and most long suffering talents. His life seemed frustratingly sad but he remained angelic and loving without ever turning bitter. His voice as pure and angelic as moonlight caressing a river. Listen, Read, Dig Him, Love Him, Deeply.

[Jewell · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with so many great artists tragedy often shapes their art. This can be said for Jimmy Scott, one of the greatest jazz vocalists of our time. His life was full of sadness, hurt and pain. He sang his pain so well that he became an iconic balladeer. His road to success was so circuitous that many probably would have given up the chase to be that singer he became. He made it, however, in spite of all he endured during his lifetime. Listening to his music with new ears.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent biography of an incredible jazz singer from Cleveland. He has a high pitched androgynous voice due to a rare genetic deficiency called Kallman's Syndrome. He achieved great critical acclaim amongst musicians and singers but was never a commercial success due to bad deals and his inability to fight for more. Very interesting. i need to hear his recordings now.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear, balanced look at the life of Jimmy Scott. It was often maddening to see how passive he was in the face of terrible treatment, but the book was enlightening in many ways--about the era in music, the black experience in America, and the issues of parents and children.

[Jampa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book about a true artist and lovely human being. Jimmy Scott is an American treasure. His art and life were undivided. His renditions of a ballad are spiritual journeys. How he lived his life is a testament to his spirit. A true blessing.

[Steven Spector · Rating 5 out of 5]

A man who made the most of his shortcomings whether in his control or not. Great from both music and interpersonal perspectives.

[Mauberley]

A well-written biography about a unique vocalist who lived a life of sadness and disappointment without totally caving in to despair. Scott is not an artist of tremendous range but his skill with ballads is without equal. Anyone musician who could number Billy Holliday, Charlie Parker, and Doc Pomus among his admirers is obviously a talent of the first water and David Ritz tells the story with tenderness and understanding. The strangeness of his subject's condition is dealt with honestly but never overwhelms the story.