Born: February 1, 1973 Primary Instrument: Drums
Scott McLemore (b. Feb. 1, 1973 Norfolk, VA) is a drummer based in Reykjavik, Iceland. He began playing music professionally at age 16 with a rock band in high school and joined the rock/funk band Ant Man Bee in 1990 with which he recorded an album and toured the east coast playing the college circuit.
McLemore attended the University of Virginia's Writers Workshop in 1990 where he met trumpeter John D'earth. McLemore has since performed countless times with D'earth in various groups and has also brought the trumpeter to New York to perform at the Knitting Factory.
He attended Old Dominion University 1992-93 where he studied jazz performance and composition. He also studied drums privately with Howard Curtis and started subbing for Curtis with Toomey and bassist Jimmy Masters around the same time. Although no formal lessons took place, McLemore owes a debt of gratitude to Masters for his giving nature and relentless encouragement.
In 1993 Scott transfered to William Paterson College and started playing jazz professionally in nearby New York City. In 1997 he graduated from William Paterson College with a B.M. in Jazz Studies where he studied drums with John Riley, composition with Vic Juris and had various ensembles lead by Rufus Reid et al. While attending WPC he also toured the US with guitarist Tim Reynolds.
In 1997 he moved to New York where he lived for 8 years and played with such talented musicians as: Sunna Gunnlaugs, Ben Monder, Michael Kanan, Tony Malaby, Angelica Sanchez, Russ Lossing, Chris Cheek, George Colligan, Kerry Politzer, John Hebert, Mark Helias, Drew Gress and Tim Berne.
His work as a leader has resulted in two albums: “Found Music” with Tony Malaby, Ben Monder and Ben Street on Fresh Sound New Talent Records, and “Remote Location” with Sunna Gunnlaugs, Óskar Guðjónsson, Andrés Thor and Róbert Þórhallsson on Sunny Sky Records.
“McLemore gives his bandmates the space to breath and create a sound that lets the listener sit back imagine and enjoy… this young talent means business behind the kit as well as a being the composer.” – Stephan Moore, Jazz Wrap
“The group develops the music on this album with slow patience that allows everything spaciousness and room to breathe. There's nothing showy or obtrusive about this music, the artists involved sacrifice any ego they may have in order to serve the greater good of the music.” – Tim Niland, Music and More
“...a dainty beauty unfolds into a frenzied, progressive jazz.” – JazzReview.com
“A knockout on the drums! Constantly engaging the pianist in dialogue. His cymbal and tom work are a particular pleasure.” – Cadence Magazine
“Some exceptionally musical drumming, particularly tasteful in the use of cymbals.” – Greg Harness, Roots World Magazine
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