Biography

Marty Clemons Scott (b. December 25, 1999) is a jazz trombonist, composer, arranger, teaching artist, and designer born on Christmas Day in Long Island, NY, and raised in Freeport. His music lives at the intersection of hard bop fire, soulful storytelling, and community-rooted education.

Scott first discovered jazz through his middle school band program—but what stuck wasn’t just the sound. It was the spirit. From the moment he heard Curtis Fuller, he realized music could be a vehicle for power, joy, and self-definition. He draws deep inspiration from the legends: Curtis Fuller, Steve Davis, Lee Morgan, J.J. Johnson, Frank Rosolino, Thad Jones, and the expressive lineage of Black American music. Today, he channels their influence into a sound that is swinging, emotive, and always reaching.

A graduate of SUNY Purchase (B.M., Jazz Performance, 2022), Scott studied under masters like Jon Faddis, John Mosca, Ralph Lalama, Gary Smulyan, Pete Malinverni, Todd Coolman, and Kenny Washington. He earned his Master’s in Jazz Performance from the Manhattan School of Music in 2024, and is currently pursuing a second graduate degree in Music and Music Education with Initial Certification at Teachers College, Columbia University (Class of 2025)—where his focus is on inclusive, culturally responsive teaching and the future of music pedagogy.

Scott has performed at many of New York’s top venues, including The Blue Note, Birdland, Dizzy’s Club, The Django, and others—sharing the stage with respected artists from across the scene. He’s also a dedicated educator, with experience teaching students of all ages in classrooms, summer camps, and private lessons across the U.S. His teaching philosophy centers improvisation, joy, and honoring students’ lived experiences—with the belief that we teach the whole child, not just the right notes.

Outside the bandstand, Scott is also a visual artist and designer, drawing inspiration from the bold visual language of Blue Note Records and classic jazz typography. He creates posters, album covers, merchandise, and interactive media that bridge music and visual storytelling. His design work blends nostalgic aesthetics with a futuristic edge—like a remix of jazz history in motion.