Little Jimmy Scott--When Did You Leave Heaven

[bromancollins]

Etta James (mayshe RIP) credits this man as one of the architects of RnB/ Soul in her autobiography , stating that he sang with soul even before Ray Charles. Also, reading some of the comments on this page questioning Little jimmy Scott's gender. He had a medical disorder ( I believe glandular/ hormonal/growth- similar to Gary Coleman and Emmanuel Lewis but not exactly the same as their disorders) which kept his voice high and stunted his growth. He is a legend of legends so be respectful! Peace

[hancar]

I've never heard of him until today and wow, what a voice! I'm blown away!

[1mespud]

If you don't know Little Jimmy Scott, then you've just been marked absent...

[yoo2upe]

Jimmy Scott was far ahead of his years. His recordings still sound good today. A number of recording artists who came afterewards, copied hissinging style. One example was the remarkably talented of Nancy Wilson. Not only did she copy his style, but also several songs from his repertoire. Jimmy Scott certainly deserves credit for his originality and skill. Though he was small in stature, “Little Jimmy Scott,” he is a giant in the field of music, particularly Jazz, standards and ballads.

[jumpemupjohn]

great tune...post his royal roost tunes...even better

[cdjblue52]

This VOICE is staggering. WOW!!!

[DMacksGold]

Watched a short bio a few years back on Jimmy. Aparently he was shut out of the biz for a long time. Its ironic that perhaps the very rock singers he influenced, might have been the reason he lost the limelight.

[blewis9505]

Wonderful. He's obviously an original. Years ago the late, great, Ronnie Dyson had a sound that reminded me of him. Great post!

[carloscamaras]

just awesome

[jazzalex22]

This is who Frankie Valli copied BTW.

[DelBarrioNYLR]

I had never heard of him until today.. and I am so glad I have heard some of his music already. He is an angel sent by God to delight us with a phenomenal voice... Just beautiful!

[DIOP1]

Yes! Of course you are right on target with this. Thanks for your confirmation.

[zebb14]

This song makes me want dance with the one i love

such a beautiful and lyrical song,

thank you Jimmy Scott.

[ESSENCEOFEACHTHING]

This man is the Sugar Ray Robinson of singing.

[lynchian]

Incredible........ 

[BluesGeek]

Just Amazing......

[roygump]

I was photographing jimmy some years ago in nyc playing down at the wtc. The sax player whispered to me to point my camera at Jimmy's wife for This tune,, because he always sing it For her and she always breaks down in tears! She did indeed. Very moving. I gave up a few tears just seeing that...while hearing that!

He was indeed a gift from a higher power or something. Like a channel for something greater than a mere man. His most heartbreaking line..."scuse me..while I dis..a..ppear'.

[TheDarmardar]

wonderful singer, with a ton of feeling for a certain kind of song

[CHARLIEK]

Jimmy Scott was a pallbearer at Lady Day's funeral.

[nancydrew5]

You can tell Nancy Wilson was heavily influenced by Little Jimmy Scott, listening to her rendition of this song, sounds just like this. But he was so bad, and she's bad. When you listen to the best, you will be a badazz singer. Which is why I listen to people like them.

[VirgoDar]

@nancydrew5 Well you are very correct, Nancy Wilson's MAIN influence was Little Jimmy Scott. As she told me back in the early 90's, she patterned her vocals to sound like his when she first started out and at the time everyone thought she was trying to sound like Dinah Washington.

[cascant08]

Great voice, great song.

[rpsmom]

Love being turned on to this music, first Shirley and now Jimmy. Thank you internet pals for helping me discover these tunes.

Kir

[BILLIEBLUEZ]

I NO HIM PERSONALLY AND HES NO WHERE NEAR A WOMAN. HES ALL MAN! A GREAT LEGEND I MUST ADD. HE JUST HAPPEN TO HAVE A SORPRANO VOICE. HE'S LOVABLE AND DECENT TOO. HE HAS A BEAUTIFUL WIFE MRS. JEANIE SCOTT. THEY R BEAUTIFUL . NO HES DEFINATELY A MAN. BILLIE HOLIDAY ADORED HIM.

[JeepersCreepersJJP]

@BILLIEBLUEZ he's one of my favourite artists. I have only seen him once in concert and as you can imagine, it was wonderful.

[flatom143]

@BILLIEBLUEZ "I no him"??????

[oluham]

I REPEAT, thats a WOMAN!!!!

[nipsipone]

@oluham-- You have a tin ear and a shallow mind go away

[ivycompton]

@oluham

You're nuts, oluham. Why don't you read the biography, or see the documentary, or otherwise inform yourself. You look like an idiot with a comment like that.

[JeepersCreepersJJP]

@ivycompton just ignore him. Think of all the wonderful things in life "oluham" misses out on.

[lovham89]

@oluham  dumb moron i wated to hear you sing i come to laugh

[TheKendralou]

OMG

[EmeraldSky33]

WOW. What a true great.

[phantomeagle]

He actually sang at my mother's second wedding. What an an amazing talent.

[memfisman]

What a voice! This is romantic singing. What a mood setter.

[13CCBNFA]

i also jus saw the the episode on the cosbyshow about the bet with clair and heard little jimmy scott but i cannot find the song they were listening to '' an evening in paradise''

[PALU3K]

@13CCBNFA me too!!! ^^

[arrivedp]

What a great voice.

[FromParkersPen]

Yes, vocalist Jimmy Scott performs at 8pm, Sat, May 8 at the 2010 "Jazz in the Park" series, a "Las Vegas tradition," at the Clark County Government Center Amphitheater at 500 S. Grand Central Parkway (just west of downtown off Bonneville/Alta.) Bring blankets and low-back chairs for comfort. Food & beverages sold at vendor station(s). No pets are allowed during concerts. Go to AccessClarkCounty. com/Parks or call (702) 455-8200. The "Clean Air Festival," jazz and starlight--a true delight!!

[MrShakbo]

I saw a very moving documentary on his life and career on PBS some years back. A must see for fans of "Little" Jimmy Scott.

[pianomags]

Hey, everyone is sent to us by "god". This is a clever musician who worked damn hard, I'll bet.

[Cheenjoo]

Wow. Wow. I don't know what else to say?

I will say this, thank you Mr. Cosby, I remember the episode about Little Jimmy Scott and the bet Cliff made with Claire; because of that I had to check him out when I saw his name and I am now absolutely taken! You were using that show to skool us, considered me skooled. :-)

[JazzMaestra]

Little Jimmy Scott was/is a phenomenon!!!

[restlesspride666]

Oh, This is the second song I've listened to from him. I'm in love with his voice, its so androgynous and tender and emotive...

[MrLizardisle]

@restlesspride666

I think that ''castrati'' singers had that kind of androgynous tone. Jimmy Scott is not a

''castrato'' of course, but he was born with KALLMANN'S SYNDROME, hence his unique voice. Under the circumstances i'd call his condition, a blessing...

[restlesspride666]

@MrLizardisle Yeah, i heard castrato looked like tall big beardless men/children. He didn't hit puberty until he got in his 30's I think, and even then, he is still taller than me :] I love his voice, I have fun imitating it when i try to sing.

[MrRedFredSaid]

I agree wholeheartedly!

[DrunkenMastermind]

Holy shit. This is spectacular. Why isn't this man more well known?

[kiksocerbals4fun]

My late mother loved to listen to LJS on her phonogragh during the day as she would clean the house on Saturday mornings back in the late 50s to early 60s. The guy had the smoothest voice I have ever heard. So cool!

[fernc92]

This guy is one of the most soulful dudes I ever heard.

[sursa20]

great voice, great song......

[Micahsalas]

touches the soul.........

[BebopAuthor]

I'd like to know what it's like to wake up in the desert and hear this voice sing as he sips his coffee, looks up to that big gig in the sky and an invisible microphone captures his soul; must be kind of wonderful to feel that voice, like golden mana, caress my world weary bebop ears and make them smile. I adore this voice as it invades my deepest heart, hiding in the wings of my life. To wake up and see that smile is like giving birth.

[SoulSister66]

Please join Jimmy's only official Facebook Fan Page at:

LEGENDARY JIMMY SCOTT

Jeanie Scott

**************

[duke0618]

Jimmy Scott... words escape me... his phrasing and styling so sublime. One of the greatest unsung (pardon the pun) balladeers.

[druNkwriter]

Thank you so much for the extensive history; I love his work, but have always wondered what happened to him. Thanks so much for posting this... and, yeah: you want to hear great singing? Go hear Jimmy. Cheers!

[raynoma1]

His high notes cut into you.

[ciscocastille]

My father's favorite singer, thanks for sharing (: !

[xrossfader]

Luckily I was an avid Bill Cosby show watcher as a teenager. I wanted to know more about Little Jimmy Scott after hearing "An Evening In Paradise" in one of the episodes. I'm glad I had an ear as a teenager!

[NZGroupie]

Wow! Me too!  I was 14 or 15 when I heard that snippet and here I am on You Tube today looking for "An Evening in Paradise" I never forgot that it was Little Jimmy Scott but I didn't know the name. Glad I have a pretty good memory! :)

[xrossfader]

He has a very good 3 disc set called, "The Savoy Years". You can get it on Amazon.

[NZGroupie]

Thank you! Will get on that right away!

[Saquantico]

WOW!!! I can't believe that there are at least 2 other people in this world who discovered lil Jimmy Scott thru the Bill Cosby Show!!! I had no idea who he was and then I went to the library and found a VHS tape that I checked out and from then on I've been singing his songs!!! The greatest singer ever!! You guys should look into the stories of Ray Charles signing Jimmy then having to pull the album off the shelves....very sad

[NJNupe1911]

What happened? Why did they have to pull the album off the shelves?

[Saquantico]

As it turns out, Lil Jimmy was under contract with another record label who was doing absolutely nothing with him as an artist and under the threat of lawsuit Ray's label pulled the album and trashed it. But Ray spoke very highly of him. You should google Lil Jimmy Scott and just read up on him. Truly a living legend!!!

[JazzMaestra]

I love this man and I love this song. Jimmy Scott has always been amazing.

[BebopAuthor]

I keep coming back for a special and magical time inside my world weary bebop heart, knowing that this man suffered more than anyone I have ever known, and I've known some mighty angels, but he, without a doubt, has the voice of a place that keeps me safe and I'm not even sad, but I want to feel this voice as if he is a child I want to protect, knowing his mother died and he searches, his lifetime for her. Heaven hears him and I am holding his hand, not just for him, but for me and my mother.

[UsBus]

the music is love

[longfade]

Anyone not moved profoundly by this must be made of stone.

[Corrie121]

This must be the definitive rendition of this beautiful song. What a wonderful gift the Almighty has bestowed on Jimmy Scott. He is the "tops".

It saddens me to read how he was treated by some unscrupulous people, but it gladdens my heart to see that his talents have surmounted their inglorious deeds.

[KojiRecords]

Jimmy Scott had/has a severe genetic condition---not "Kallmann's syndrome"....Jimmy's got the "genius syndrome." I ask myself why did they let Jimmy leave heaven...he is the one who is an angel. Jimmy's music is sheer perfection as he took songs that others looked over for years, revealing the song was indeed a jewel----that other singers would later come and want to touch after Jimmy showed us how valuable these songs were. God Bless You, Uncle Jimmy, I loves you bunches, happy birthday----Mark

[SoulSister66]

I dedicate your favorite song to you my sweet embraceable you.

"When Did You Leave Heaven"?

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY JIMMY!!!!!!!

Your Loving Wife,

Jeanie

********

[SoulSister66]

This is one of Jimmy's favorite all-time songs ever since he first heard on the radio in 1933 and he's sung it ever since.

Jeanie Scott

**************

[toxicshakti]

tayloreh, I can't give you anybody now who can come up to this level, but as an older person (55) I am beyond glad to know that somebody your age understands this and knows what is at stake in this music, and that while it isn't here now, it will come around again somehow--respect your tremendously for that, and am heartened by you

[tayloreh]

Besides the song itself, all the great singers of the past make me sad... because seriously, no present day singers can touch this... what the hell has happened to society, to peoples motivations?? Is there anyone that anyone knows who compares to this???

[won36]

I'm 47 years old. I'd never heard of Little Jimmy Scott until I purchased an album by David Sanborn where he did "For All We Know" on the album. I immediately began looking for information on this phenomenal vocalist. Since then I've purchased several of his albums. I say this to say, I agree with you 100%. There is no one alive that can touch him.

[FilTonks]

well Adele has done her best to impersonate jimmy Scott, do you dig her?

[tayloreh]

Yeah, I dig her, but its not a question of digging. Its a level of imagination and humility, a connection to something profound that I don't think modern singers can possibly have unless they throw everything they know away. And I'm 18 and I think that and as a singer myself I don't think I can't touch it, so I don't think it has much to do with 'living in the age' or not. Its just something missing from our age in general. But it'll all float on by again somehow.

[FilTonks]

Hmm...imagination and humility? Maybe. You are right that popular singeres of today don't have the same approach, I'd put that down to the music biz, the media, and the unbridled ambition. Is it possible to be a singer nowadays and not want to be a big star even if you clearly don't deserve it.

[lrmvg9]

I didn't know what to think after hearing this cut. I did know that I had to sing every aching note over and over again...its arresting..maybe even addicting...always facinating....The Great Jimmy Scott!!!

[dangervich]

Nancy WIlson sounded great doing this but this performance is out of sight! He sings everything as if it were a matter of life or death. The intensity just grabs your heart. Nancy would agree btw: she said Jimmy was her greatest influence; she once said when she hears herself on records it shocks her how much she sounds like Jimmy. Just gives me chills.

[dropper3]

Man thats what i call singing, i love this song Caleb.

[RosesLavender]

This song is just what I need to relax after a long day. I would love to know when Jimmy came from Heaven-there will never be another like him!

[sfkcbf]

My passion is Baroque music and voices; however, Jimmy's voice is intriguing, and his jazz style is very satisfying. I shall not limit my hearing of this to just one time.

[philomelodia]

Correction. He's contralto not alto. My apologies. Whatever he is, he is simply wonderful. Best of all, he came by his voice naturally. The men I mentioned from 300 years ago weren't so lucky. I'll let whoever's interested look that up.

[philomelodia]

I am simply thunderstruck. I'm primarily a classical music fan with lots of focus on baroque (1600-1750) when voices like his were in huge demand. I despaired of ever hearing one in my life time (boy's voice with man's lungpower) in the alto range that was truly breathtaking. Women used to faint when they heard these voices and entire opera houses were brought to tears because of their sweetness and sheer beauty. This man brought me to tears. I thank you most profoundly for sharing this vid.

[philomelodia]

Altro Senesino ma, senza l'operazzione! Mio santo cello che voce! Bravo, maestro!

[rahmit47]

This is real soul.Listening to Jimmy hits those primordial emotions.Magnificent artist and one of the best voices ever.A mentor to many of the greatest singers.THE VOICE!Ihappened to hear of him on tv 2 years ago and was captivated by this gifted artist.

[JANXDPDX]

his voice sounds superbly developed to me!

[Nikita4ever9000]

You find Little Jimmy Scott Albums at Amazon online

[Nikita4ever9000]

I really like this kind of music

[moveonupcb]

Fuckin brilliant!

[TheReturnOfStephan]

Mr. Jimmy always just BRINGS IT!!!

[scuddermarky]

This song gives me goosebumps

[smoovie01]

Could someone please post the song "An evening in paradise" from Little Jimmy Scott. I just heard this song on the Cosby Show last night and I think it's a beautiful song

[rebel2rebel]

This man is sent to us from 'GOD' that's why he sings so Beautiful. And by the he is a direct decendent of the one and only "Miss Billie Holiday". Enjoy...

[diamond42007]

my god!I have never heard anyone sing like this before!this man is a gift from heaven.