Bassist Kevin Scott: Career, Improv, and Lessons from Colonel Bruce Hampton

Early Musical Journey & Influences

• 🎸 Kevin Scott grew up in Dothan, Alabama, where a thriving local music scene allowed him to play in clubs multiple nights a week from a young age.
• 💡 His discovery of Colonel Bruce Hampton in high school, through a flea market record, profoundly influenced his musical path and led him to move to Atlanta.
• 🧠 Bruce Hampton served as a unique mentor, challenging Scott's ego and teaching him to take what you do seriously, not yourself, and the importance of space in bass playing.

Atlanta Jam Scene & Community

• 🚀 In Atlanta, Scott started a weekly improvised jam session that ran for 14 years, fostering a vibrant community of musicians.
• 🤝 This jam provided opportunities for mentorship from established players like Grant Green Jr. and Russell Gunn, who saw Scott play in his element.
• 🌟 He became known as "The King" in Atlanta for his role in connecting diverse musicians and creating a unique, collaborative scene.

Playing with Guitarists & Musical Philosophy

• 🎯 Scott emphasizes fearlessness and adaptability when playing with various guitarists, drawing inspiration from his improvised background.
• ⚡ His approach involves propelling the music without overthinking, sensing when to push boundaries, and not being afraid to make mistakes.
• 🚫 He expressed a preference for improvisational and creative roles over strictly structured gigs that require replaying parts exactly as recorded.

Current Projects & Creative Pursuits

• 🎶 Scott is currently touring with Gov't Mule and is involved in other projects like Fork and Wednesday Night Titans.
• 💿 He co-founded 29th Street Edition, an improv-based record label, and is releasing his first solo-like project with the band Wax Paper.
• 🎸 For Gov't Mule, he primarily uses Gibson-based instruments like Thunderbirds and Rippers, adapting his tone for a more rock-oriented sound.

Career Advice & Personal Insights

• ✅ For young musicians, Scott advises authenticity, staying true to one's vision, and avoiding industry drama.
• ⚠️ He identifies bad music and difficult band leaders as major red flags that would make him decline a gig, prioritizing mental health and respect.
• 📚 Outside of music, his hobbies include reading philosophy and psychiatry, engaging in animal rehabilitation (possums, raccoons), and following pro wrestling.