About Flora
 

Flora Scott is a jazz vocalist, guitarist and song writer. She has released two CD's which receive airplay on several jazz radio stations across Canada. She began playing the guitar and singing at about the age of six and has performed at many venues around Victoria and occasionally in Vancouver.

She has studied jazz guitar for the past several years receiving instruction at jazz workshops from Oliver Gangnon, Seattle guitarist Brian Nova, Victoria guitarist Rob Cheramy and Nanaimo guitarist Pat Coleman.

She has also studied voice in the past, the most recent being at a vocal jazz workshop receiving instruction from Seattle vocalist Jay Clayton.

She has performed with Slide Hampton and Ian McDougal during Hugh Fraser's Big Band Workshop and plays guitar in the Don Leppard Big Band.

Other performances include playing regularly around Victoria at clubs and restaurants with her trio or quartet and occasionally with a septet or octet. As well she has had regular appearances at the Victoria International Jazzfest.

Her style is unique and brings to life jazz standards and some of the more obscure jazz tunes. Some influences include Sarah Vaughn, Chet Baker, Mose Allison, Billie Holiday, Kenny Burrel, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Joe Pass, Jimmy Bruno and Django Reinhard.She has had some success with her first CD "Then and Now" which features Hugh Fraser and the members of his quintet as well as Vancouver trumpeter Brad Turner. The tunes include a few up-beat swing tunes, some bossas and beguine rhythms as well as ballads and fast numbers resulting in a variety of melodies and rhythms.

The tunes, some of them written as far back as the thirties, cover the last eight decades of jazz with the most recent one having been composed by Flora Scott. In August 2005 Flora released her latest CD "Collage" which she recorded once again with Hugh Fraser and his quintet and includes two more artists; Jack Duncan on congas and Mike Zachernuk on trumpet.

The members of this quintet include Ross Taggart on tenor sax and piano, Campbell Ryga on alto and soprano sax, Ken Lister on bass and Dave Robbins alternating with Craig Scott on drums. Hugh Fraser is featured on piano and trombone and has been involved in the production of the CD along wiht well known producer Clair Lawrence.

"Collage" spans an array of jazz styles from swing and Latin rhythms to ballads and up-tempos and includes an original song written by Flora Scott entitled "Illusions". The arrangements all new, are done by Joey Smith, Flora Scott and Anita Bonkowski.

Future plans include touring and international performances.

The Flora Scott Jazz Ensemble is available for Weddings, Special Events, Conventions and Private Parties. Contact Flora to make arrangements.
 
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