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Home C Christian Scott

Christian Scott, born March 31, 1983 in New Orleans, Louisiana is a Grammy Award nominated jazz trumpeter, composer and producer. He has been heralded by JazzTimes magazine as "the Architect of a new commercially viable fusion" and "Jazz's young style God." 

The nephew of jazz alto saxophonist Donald Harrison, since 2006 Scott has released four studio albums, and one live recording.

The trumpeter is noted for his use of an unvoiced tone, which he calls his "whisper technique."


Christian Scott, and his twin brother, Kiel, were born in New Orleans, Louisiana on March 31, 1983 to Cara Harrison and Clinton Scott III.

Christian exhibited a variety of talents and an exceptional intellect at a very early age. He was a bright student and gifted athlete and visual artist. He and his brother began drawing with amazing depth of detail, at the age of three years old. By the time they reached elementary school, one of their teachers decided to have them evaluated for this talent. It was determined that they were indeed talented in the visual arts and the New Orleans School system provided special tutors, for several years, to help them develop their gift.

Christian was also quite gifted as an athlete. He played and excelled in tennis, baseball, football, basketball and boxing. If fact, many people were able to tell Christian from his identical twin, Kiel, because he always carried a ball of some kind. It was thought by many that Christian, although academically and artistically gifted, would pursue a career in sports. His mother even thought of guiding him towards boxing since he had a propensity for fighting in school and in the 9th Ward neighborhood in which he was raised.

Scott's musical talent emerged at around the age of 12. While riding in a vehicle with his grandmother, the two were listening to a recording by his uncle, Donald Harrison, Jr. Christian noticed there was no trumpet on the cd. Christian, who had always admired and looked up to his uncle, began to seriously think about music. He had always wanted to be a saxophone player but understood that he had a better chance of playing in his uncle's band someday if he played the trumpet. His mother and grandmother purchased his first horn and his brother Kiel's first guitar, the very same year. These choices were a departure since they came from a family of reeds players. His tutelage began with private lessons and with his mother, a clarinetist and bassoonist, who helped teach her son to read music over many nights at the kitchen table.

Christian began to display a natural talent. His mother recalls dropping a coin on a ceramic floor and, at the age of 12 or 13, Christian instinctively said, "g sharp." Scott's grandfather, New Orleans folksinger and Mardi Gras Indian, Big Chief Donald Harrison, Sr., also took note of the progress his grandson demonstrated. Harrison, Sr. began introducing Christian to musicians of the bop era. He was a huge Miles Davis fan and would often have Scott play Bag's Groove at all hours of the day and night.

Although Christian's skills were increasing at a lightning fast pace, he wanted more. He wanted to play with his uncle. After receiving the last Doc Cheatam Award to be presented by Mr. Cheatam himself before his death, Scott decided to ask his uncle to teach him. Harrison, Jr. did not know if Scott was serious about being a musician, so he had Scott learn and transcribe Clifford Brown's solo in the Jazz classic, Donna Lee. This was Harrison, Jr.'s way of determining his young nephew's dedication to the craft. When Christian completed the task and presented the transcription and played the selection for his uncle, Donald knew that Scott really wanted to learn. Scott's tutelage under his uncle began. One of the proudest days of Christian's young life came when he was 15 years old and played in his uncle's band for the first time on New Year's Eve, 1998. Scott continued to play in his uncles group for several years. At the age of 15, Scott's first recorded composition, Young Blood, appeared on Harrison, Jr.'s recording, Paradise Found. Paradise Found would be the first of many recordings and firsts for Harrison and Scott.


Scott's early training began with his mother. Once Scott demonstrated superior abilities, his uncle, Donald Harrison, Jr. took over his training. Under the direction of his uncle, Christian excelled in all areas of musical knowledge. By the age of fourteen, Christian auditioned for New Orleans Center of Creative Arts. He was accepted to the high school for the arts and excelled under the director of the jazz music program directors, Clyde Kerr, Jr. and Kent Jordan.

After completing his high school education and graduating with honors, Scott attended Berklee College of Music, one of the premier music colleges in the United States. He received a full tuition scholarship and studied under the direction of Charlie Lewis, Dave Santoro, and Vibraphonist Gary Burton. Scott majored in Professional Music with a concentration in Film Scoring. Scott completed the five year program in three years, all while maintaining a touring schedule with Donald Harrison, Jr.'s quartet, his own band, and writing, producing and marketing his self-titled first recording.

During the CD release performances at a Virgin Music store for Scotts' self titled debut recording, a former distributor for Concord Records, Kenneth Shurtlift, was in attendance. So impressed with his talent and established fan base, the former Concord Records employee forwarded Scott's recording to executives with Concord Music Group. Scott signed with the major label in 2005 and released his second recording, "Rewind That" in 2006. The music industry took notice. Scott was prominently featured on the cover of Billboard Magazine and was named a "One to Watch in 2006" by the quintessential music industry magazine. Scott's major label debut enjoyed remarkable success with its odd metered offerings of Jazz, Rock and R&B infused compositions. Critics did not know how to categorize the blend of musical influences. Because of Scott's innovations, he has been credited by many for actually creating a new genre of music or at the very least, changing the genre of jazz. Scott's intention was always to move the jazz genre forward. The commercial success of "Rewind That" lead the way for other young musician's success in emulating the groundwork laid out by Scott. His Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Jazz Album was no surprise to those who recognized his trailblazing work.


Scott is noted for "un-voicing" his tone, emphasising breath over vibration at the mouthpiece. Other trumpeters (Jon Hassell, Arve Henriksen, Erik Truffaz and Nils Petter Molvær among them) have employed a similar method, which Scott refers to as his "whisper technique".

Pointers from Donald Harrison and Clark Terry along with two years of intense concentration and practice helped to develop his tone. To get the particular sound he wanted he resisted additional advice from his music teachers and books. He became somewhat of an introvert during the process. After two years of practicing and playing, the breakthrough finally came from something that was familiar but abstract. "It took a very long time, but I guess the biggest break for me was when I decided to not try and focus on changing the sound, but to try to emulate something. The thing that I tried to emulate was my mother's singing voice", explained Scott.

"It came from a lot of different things. Jazz trumpeter and elder statesman Clark Terry told me about the technique Clifford Brown used to get an airy sound when he played. I wanted my sound to be different than any other. Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie and others made their mark on their generation because their sound was unique."


Katrina is Scott's signature model Bb Trumpet made specifically for him by Edwards Instruments (Getzen). Designed by Scott, Christan Greigo and Kiel Scott the horn's attributes include a tilted bell, exchangeable lead pipe and reverse tuning system, all which helped Christian to employ his signature Whisper Technique more effectively. The horn was initially designed in this unique way from the desire of Scott to have the ability to see his audience as he played.

During those years of practice, Edwards Instruments (Getzen) was busy making Christian's CS Signature Model Trumpet that bears a likeness to Dizzy Gillespie's iconic instrument. "My bell actually curves much earlier than his [Dizzy] did, like 22 degrees. His horn had a bell that went up like 35 almost 45 degrees and his bell tilts at the valve section much eariler. Mine is a Generation X hybrid trumpet with blades and all this special matte finishing and engraving all over it that says Christian Scott and Katrina", explains Scott.

Trumpeter James Andrews also from New Orleans said that when he played Scott's horn it was like playing the most high tech trumpet on the planet. Scott's "Katrina" trumpet has reverse lead pipes, a unique valve system and stems. The tuning is revolutionary because it has a slide tuning system, and the angle of the bell at the last turn is not as sharp as a normal trumpet. This takes a bit of the backpressure off helping Scott create his unique sound." 

Whenever possible, Christian takes time, while touring and on his down time, to spend quality time with young people to hold music classes, impart music business knowledge and his life experiences. These sessions are held at non-profit organizations and schools throughout the United States. Additionally, Christian lends his considerable talents to fundraising events for various organizations.

When Scott was a young man, he would often accompany his mother, Cara Harrison, to volunteer for organizations such as NO/AIDS Task Force, Each One Save One and Girls First, in New Orleans. His mother instilled in him the value and personal gratification one receives from giving time to causes that benefit the greater good of the community. Both Christian and his brother, Kiel, would assist their mother with tasks that varied from performing to making signs for fundraising events.

Scott's commitment to empowering young people continues today. While touring, Scott has held classes at high schools throughout the United States. He recently purchased custom trumpets which he gave to budding musicians from New Orleans. On his trips back to his home town, he is often a fixture at Guardians Institute's, a non-profit founded by his grandmother, Herreast Harrison, Sankofa Saturday sessions, book giveaways and informances held at New Orleans' Recovery School District schools.

Scott's cavalier style of dress has garnered him recognition in magazines such as L'UOMO VOGUE, VOGUE ITALIA, THE SOURCE & KING MAGAZINE. Christian is known to sport Comme Des Garçons drop crotch jeans, Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair, harem style pants, Dior short ties, Dior Homme, and his signature Rayban sunglasses, pearl earrings and ascots.

"His global fashion sense distinguishes him from his counterparts and endears him to fashionistas the world over.

"Why can't the world be filled with more men willing to take a risk in terms of what they wear, every now and then. Men just like jazz musician Christian Scott. Clearly not afraid of exploring the side of menswear that you don't normally see out in the spotlight (runway lights not included), at the launch of David Beckham's new pairing with Adidas on Wednesday, the trumpet player took apart a few looks from the Dior Homme Fall 2009 show and created a whole new look of his own."