Mike Scott

Guitarist Mike Scott plays with equal parts energy and spirit, lyricism, swing, creativity, a soulful and expressive touch, and always with a well crafted sense of rhythm. Mike has been an active part of the Los Angeles jazz scene since the late 90's when he started playing his first professional gigs. In addition to his accomplishments as a guitarist Mike is also well known for his compositions. His debut CD “Good Place To Be” featured 8 original songs and his 2011 release “Fallen Peach” was comprised entirely of his own compositions. Mike has performed extensively throughout the U.S. and abroad in both intimate jazz clubs and large concert halls. ​​Mike was born in Fukuoka, Japan while his father was stationed overseas. He grew up in Ohio, New Jersey, and Arizona before moving to Southern California at the age of 18 to pursue a career in music. He studied at Fullerton College and transferred to the University of Southern California where he earned a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Music Performance. ​

​Mike has enjoyed a varied career performing, recording, composing and teaching. He has performed throughout the United States and abroad, recorded for television and film soundtracks, played as a sideman for a number of CD projects and recorded his own albums as well. Some performance highlights include performing with Stevie Wonder at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, with Monica Mancini and the New York Pops Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, as well as performances with some well known names in jazz, including Seamus Blake, Matt Wilson, Abraham Laboriel, Vince Mendoza, Darek Oles, Larry Koonse, Josh Nelson and Ben Wendel.

In 2007 Mike was a founding member of the Los Angeles Jazz Collective. The LAJC is a group of like minded musicians that works together to promote their bands and original music through a series of successful concerts and festivals. The LAJC is also involved in music education and offers a number of clinics and workshops that are open to the public.

Mike is currently a full-time faculty member at Fullerton College. At Fullerton Mike teaches both private lessons and courses in guitar study, History of Jazz and Rock Music and directs a jazz combo. He has had successful students transfer to The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in NYC, Berklee College of Music, the University of Miami, the University of Southern California, CalArts, and Cal State Universities of Fullerton, Northridge, and Long Beach. Show less