Scott Tixier

Scott Tixier (born 26 February 1986) is a GRAMMY award-winning [1] French jazz violinist and a recording artist. He is professor of jazz violin and alternative styles at the University of North Texas.[2]

Scott Tixier
Background information
Born(1986-02-26)February 26, 1986
Montreuil, France
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsViolin
Years active2002–present
LabelsSunnyside
Associated actsStevie Wonder, Elton John, Kenny Barron, Roger Waters, Pedrito Martinez, Anthony Braxton
Websitewww.scott-tixier.com

Life and career
Stevie Wonder with Scott Tixier
Scott Tixier at Blue Note Jazz Club, photographed by Franck Bohbot

Tixier was born in Montreuil, France, and studied classical violin at the conservatory in Paris. Following that, he studied improvisation as a self-educated jazz musician and under Florin Niculescu then Malo Vallois.

Scott Tixier has worked in many genres, in the theater, film scoring, Broadway shows, for Sony Pictures, ARTE Creative, Heineken, Dos Equis, Fisher-Price, America's Got Talent on NBC, with Zedd on the David Letterman Late Show on CBS, for Josh Groban, Harvey Keitel, Robert De Niro, Sting, Jean Reno, Whoopi Goldberg, Marc Jacobs, Keith David, Pierre Palmade, Pierre Richard, David Ackroyd, NBA player Allan Houston, Christina Aguilera, Chrisette Michele, Doug E. Fresh, JR, Ariana Grande, and Monica Dogra.

He has performed and recorded with a wide range of artists, including, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Roger Waters, Kenny Barron, John Legend, Chris Potter, Christina Aguilera, Common, Anthony Braxton, Joss Stone, Gladys Knight, Natalie Cole, Wayne Brady, Chris Walden, Greg Phillinganes, Ray Chew, The Isley Brothers, Cory Smythe, Maceo Parker, Janet Cardiff, Siegfried Kessler, Tony Middleton, Lonnie Plaxico, Myron Walden, Clifford Adams (Kool & the Gang), Helen Sung, Brice Wassy, Gerald Cleaver, Lew Soloff, Yvonnick Prene, Tigran Hamasyan, James Weidman, Marcus McLauren, Giada Valenti, and Tommy Sims.

He played at Carnegie Hall, the Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, Barclays Center, the Golden Globes, Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Blue Note Jazz Club, the Apollo Theater, the Smalls Jazz Club, The Stone, Roulette, Smoke Jazz, Hammerstein Ballroom, Joe's Pub, Williamsburg Music Center, Prudential Center and the United States Capitol.

When he was a teenager, Scott was invited to several master classes with some of the finest jazz musicians, including Elvin Jones, McCoy Tyner, and Steve Coleman. Scott Tixier has also met and received letters of introduction from Jean-Luc Ponty, Pat Metheny, Marcus Miller, Mark Feldman, Jacques Schwarz-Bart, and Lonnie Plaxico.

In 2008, he was endorsed by Corelli Savarez[3] (strings) and in November 2011, he was signed by the American record label Sunnyside Records.

In May 2013, Scott Tixier was the violinist for Harvey Keitel's 74th birthday. In 2014, featured on the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack for the film John Wick, starring Keanu Reeves and Willem Dafoe (Tixier appeared in the film).

In 2014 and 2015, he performed with Stevie Wonder for "Songs in the Key of Life" performance tour.

In 2016 Tixier released a new studio recording for Sunnyside Records at Avatar Studios in New York and collaborated with award winning photographer Franck Bohbot who did the album cover photography. The new album also featured Grammy Awards winner Chris Potter and Pedrito Martinez and was produced by Donald Brown.

On August 15, 2016, two of the songs "Dig It" and "100,000 Hours" from the album Cosmic Adventure were featured on NPR for the show Morning Edition hosted by David Greene, during This Week in Politics.[4][5]Morning Edition is among the highest rated public radio shows.[6][7]

On October 22, 2016 Tixier was performing with Kevin Spacey, Cassandra Wilson, Patti Austin, Andra Day, David Alan Grier and Lizz Wright alongside the Count Basie Orchestra at the Apollo Theater to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Ella Fitzgerald.[8]

Cosmic Adventure was selected as "Best Albums Of 2016" by Downbeat Magazine [9]

On May 2017 Tixier was performing with Roger Waters for the release of Waters first album in 24 years Is This the Life We Really Want?. The show was held at the Stephen Colbert Late Show on CBS

In January 2018 Tixier performed with Chris Martin for Elton John at Madison Square Garden in New York City with special guests GRAMMY nominee Miley Cyrus, Kesha John Legend and special performance by Elton John

In 2018 Tixier joined the Faculty of the University of North Texas as the first Professor for jazz violin and alternative styles creating a new program dedicated to improvisation with string instruments.

In 2019 Tixier joined composer Hans Zimmer to record The Lion King Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. That same year he also recorded the Charlie's Angels doundtrack with composer Brian Tyler.[10]

Reception

Tixier has earned international recognition for his playing. Grammy Award winning bassist Marcus Miller[11] says that Tixier "is making an international name for himself. I heard him in France and was immediately struck by his individuality and his sound." Guitarist Pat Metheny[12] says, "[Scott] has found a place for himself within the elite community of New York jazz musicians, no small feat." In an interview with All About Jazz in 2010, violinist Mark Feldman[13] called Scott "really up-and-coming and very talented." Jean-Luc Ponty said "I have heard Scott's recordings, seen his live performances and I think that he stands above the crowd of current jazz violinists around the world."

Awards and recognition
Tony Tixier and Scott Tixier opening for Herbie Hancock and Chris Dave at the festival jazz en tete
  • In 2007, he was awarded the first prize of "Trophées du Sunside" in Paris, France. In 2008, Tixier moved to New York and has continued his career as both a sideman in the Lonnie Plaxico's band, Dave Douglas, Anthony Braxton, Numinous Ensemble and as a leader.
  • In 2012, Tixier was nominated Rising Star Violin in the 60th Annual Downbeat Critics' Poll.[14]
  • In 2012, Scott Tixier was nominated Rising Star Violin in the 60th Annual Downbeat Critics' Poll.[15]
  • In 2013, Tixier was nominated Rising Star Violin in the 61st Annual Downbeat Critics' Poll.[16]
  • In 2013, Tixier was nominated for the 2nd consecutive year Rising Star Violin in the 61st Annual Downbeat Critics' Poll.[17]
  • In 2015, Tixier was nominated Rising Star Violin in the 63rd Annual Downbeat Critics' Poll.
  • In 2016, Tixier was nominated Rising Star Violin in the 64th Annual Downbeat Critics' Poll.
  • In 2013, Tixier was nominated Best New Artist by the JazzTimes Critics' Poll.[18]
  • Tixier was also nominated Best New Artist by the JazzTimes Critics' Poll.[19]
  • His second album Cosmic Adventure received favorable reviews by the general press including The New York Times; The Village Voice. As well as the specialized press such as Downbeat and JazzTimes. He is currently based in Brooklyn, New York.
  • His CD Brooklyn Bazaar was listed in the JazzTimes magazine Critics' Top 50 CDs of 2012.[20]
  • Tixier was picked by NPR as "Song of the Day" and was broadcast internationally.
  • In 2017, Tixier was named in the Top 4 for "Best Jazz Violinist" in the JazzTimes Critics Poll .[21]
  • In 2018, Tixier was voted “Rising Star Violin” by Downbeat 66th Annual Critics Poll
  • In 2019, Tixier was awarded a Grammy Certificate for his participation on the Gramnmy Award Winning title "How Deep is Your Love" by PJ Morton from the album Gumbo Unplugged.[22]
  • In 2020, Tixier was awarded 3 Grammy Certificates for his participation on the Gramnmy Award Nominated : Lion King Soundtrack, Lion King Score and John Legend Christmas Album

Instrument

His violin is an 1889 Collin-Mezin. Tixier uses bows by French bow maker Emil Miquel. His violin case was originally owned by violinist Isaac Stern for his 1740 "del Gesù", it was specially made by Dimitri Musafia.

Performance credits

Discography

As leader

As sideman

  • Introducing, Yvonnick Prene Group (2006)
  • Roll the Dice, Yvonnick Prene Group (2007)
  • Sangatsu, Keiichi Murata (Tsumori, 2010)
  • When We Arrive, Foldersnacks, Jesse Elder (2010)
  • Ephemera – Distance (Live at Lofish Studio Manhattan New York), Christian Ravaglioli (2011)
  • Lofish Studios Session, Tony Middleton (2011)
  • Like a Road Leading Home, Sofia Laiti; James Weidman (2011)
  • The Candy Shop Boys featuring Sophia Urista (2013)
  • Talking Strings, Darius Scheider (2013)
  • Wonderful World, Yvonick Prene Group (2014)
  • John Wick soundtrack, Evil Man Blues (The Candy Shop Boys) (Lionsgate, 2014)
  • Trillium J, Anthony Braxton (2014)
  • North & South, Shareef Clayton (2015)
  • The Mugician, Keyon Harrold (2017) Sony Music Entertainment
  • Gumbo Live Album, PJ Morton (2018) Morton Records / EMPIRE
  • A Legendary Christmas: Super Deluxe Edition Happy Christmas (War Is Over)(Amazon Original) / Featured violin solo, John Legend (2019) Columbia Records / SONY
  • Charlie's Angels (Original Motion Picture Score), Brian Tyler (2019) Sony Classical
  • The Lion King (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) The Lion King (2019 soundtrack), Hans Zimmer (2019) Walt Disney
  • ELLA 100 - Live at the Apollo! Patti Austin with David Alan Grier, Lizz Wright, Cassandra Wilson, Ledisi, The Count Basie Orchestra, (2020) Concord Jazz

Filmography
gollark: This is as a Renaissance painting or something.
gollark: I should make it make Macron.
gollark: That won't actually do anything.
gollark: Is this better? They're frolicking.
gollark: Maybe you're just being harmfully holonormative.

References
  1. Trophées du Sunside
  2. "UNT". UNT. 2019.
  3. "Corelli Savarez Artists". Savarez. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
  4. "Morning Edition This Week In Politics". NPR. 2016.
  5. "Morning Edition". NPR. 2016.
  6. Freedman, Samuel G. (17 July 2005). "'Listener Supported' and 'NPR': All Things Considered". New York Times. Retrieved 17 December 2008. National Public Radio alone reaches more than 20 million listeners, and its daily newsmagazine shows, All Things Considered and Morning Edition, attract a larger audience than any program except Rush Limbaugh's.
  7. "NPR Programs Attract Record-Breaking Audiences Public Radio Listenership at All-Time High". National Public Radio. 2002. Retrieved 17 December 2008. Reflective of the intense news cycle following the September 11 terrorist attacks on the U.S., NPR's newsmagazines and talk programs increased audiences across the board. From Fall 2000 to Fall 2001, Morning Edition with Bob Edwards jumped from 10.7 to 13 million listeners; All Things Considered grew from 9.8 million to nearly 11.9 million; Talk of the Nation rocketed 40.8 percent to 3 million listeners; Fresh Air with Terry Gross grew 25.4 percent to nearly 4.2 million and The Diane Rehm Show grew 38.6 percent to nearly 1.4 million. Growth in the NPR news/talk audience outpaced similar gains realized by commercial news/talk radio.
  8. "Apollo". Apollo. 22 October 2016. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  9. "Best Albums Of 2016". DownBeat =2016. 2016.
  10. "ref". IMDB. 2019.
  11. Miller, Marcus (18 March 2007). "Marcus Miller: Letter". Dynamod. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  12. Metheny, Pat (13 March 2007). "Pat Metheny: Letter". Dynamod. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  13. Fitzell, Sean Patrick (17 June 2010). "Mark Feldman: Taking an Eclectic Path". All About Jazz. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
  14. "60th Annual Downbeat Critics' Poll". Downbeat. 2012.
  15. "60th Annual Downbeat Critics' Poll". Downbeat. 2012.
  16. "61st Annual Downbeat Critics' Poll" (PDF). Downbeat. 2013.
  17. "61st Annual Downbeat Critics' Poll" (PDF). Downbeat. 2013.
  18. "The 2012 Expanded Critics' Poll". Jazz Times. 14 March 2013. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  19. "The 2012 Expanded Critics' Poll". JazzTimes. 14 March 2013. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  20. "JazzTimes' Top 50 CDs: Individual Ballots". JazzTimes. 2 January 2013. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  21. "JazzTimes Critics' Poll". JazzTimes. 2017.
  22. "Discogs". Discogs. 2018.
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