David Thorne Scott named April Artist of the Month 

Thanks to the Somerville Arts Council for naming me the April Artist of the Month. There is a lovely feature written by Charan Devereaux at this link →
https://somervilleartscouncil.org/artistmonth/thornscott

Musical about John Maynard Keynes  

I’m beginning work on a musical play about John Maynard Keynes. I’m a songwriter and lyricist looking to collaborate with a book writer. 

John Maynard Keynes was a man of contrasts. He had the mind of a brilliant economist but the heart of a bohemian who felt the love of money was a “disgusting morbidity.” He was a patriotic Englishman who helped FDR beat the Great Depression in the USA. An uninhibited gay man who fell in love with and married a ballerina. An optimist of sunny disposition who prophesied the tragedy of World War II. He was the father of modern macroeconomics who tried – and failed – to save capitalism from itself. 

Keynes and the other men and women of the Bloomsbury Set scandalized bourgeois London society. They were brilliant artists and thinkers living in a commune where the only taboo was jealousy. Wild parties and polyamorous intrigue were commonplace, as were passionate debates about love, art and – after their friends started dying in World War I – politics as well. 

Keynes called out stupidity, greed and hypocrisy as he pursued social justice, peace, stability, and prosperity for all. He was admired by many as a common-sense revolutionary, but attacked as naïve by neoliberals from the right and socialists from the left. 

I’m searching for a book writer to help me dramatize the question of Keynes’ life: how do you work in the world of money and power while living for love and keeping the faith of your dearest friends? 

About me: I’m an experienced singer, pianist, bassist and songwriter in jazz, rock and classical styles (see www.davidthornescott.com). My songs emphasize storytelling, prosody, singable melody, and distinctive harmony. I have never written a musical play, so I’d like to team up with someone with experience writing for the theater. 

If you are interested in collaborating on this project, please get in touch. I’m happy to privately share scores and demo recordings of my music beyond what is available on my recorded albums. 

David Thorne Scott 

thornewood@gmail.com

Which tunes are originals? 

I like to mix up cover songs, standard jazz tunes, and original music in my albums and performance. Sometimes I get the question of which is which? Which is totally flattering if someone thinks I wrote, say, a Cole Porter song :-)

Anyway, here is the list of original songs on my commercially available albums:

THORNEWOOD

  • Fall Into You
  • The Dark Side
  • Deciding Where to Land
  • Grow

SINGLE - Stronger Every Year

SINGLE - If I Was In Jail

HOPEFUL ROMANTIC

  • The Sign On My Door
  • Who Doesn't Want To Fall In Love?
  • Too Late
  • More Than One Way
  • Wisdom From Truth
  • Crossing the Line

SHADE

  • Shade
  • Small Feats (lyrics only)
  • Get Out Of Your Own Way
  • Clown Stalking
  • I See You

Creating a Music Scene 

What is a scene? 

Music does not take place in a vacuum. Music is at its best when it brings people together. We have lost venues in the past couple of years, like Johnny D's and Ryles. But it isn't the venue that is the magic. It's not even the music that is the magic. 

It is the scene. 

What is a scene? A scene exists when you go someplace because you know the music will be great even if you have never heard of the performers. A scene is social. Food and drink are important. Meeting new friends is important. 

Music is an important part of a scene. Music brings your heart and mind together better than therapy. Music brings you together with strangers better than Tinder. Music heals your soul and helps you sleep at night better than Ambien. 

I've been lamenting the loss of venues over the last few years. But my thinking has only been clarified: music's job is to bring people together. I decided to put my efforts where my heart is. I partnered with the great folks at the Center for Arts at the Armory to start a new music series. Details are below. I want this to be the kind of evening where you always feel confident that you are going to have a great time. You are going to feel something. You are going to think something. You will come out just a little bit different than how you came in. 

Sound interesting? Read on. 

Songwriters in the Round 

Wednesdays, April 6th and April 20th, 7pm-8:30pm 
Arts at the Armory Café 
190 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA 
Tickets are $10 at the door 

Four songwriters, trading songs and swapping stories. And you have a front row seat. 

Four songwriters take the stage, seated in a comfortable semi-circle. They take turns playing songs, occasionally joining in with each other on harmony vocals or guitar licks. The format encourages conversation between the writers, which gives the audience an opportunity to hear these creative people talk as if in their own living rooms. Inspired by the "guitar pulls" of the legendary Bluebird Café in Nashville. 

Hosted by Somerville singer/songwriter David Thorne Scott. Held on the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door. 

Part of the ROOTED Armory Café Series. Café menu is available here: https://artsatthearmory.org/rooted-cafe/rooted-menu/ 

Beer and wine also available! 

You might hear a young up-and-coming pro, an established mid-career performer and mentor, and a cherished elder of the scene -- all sharing music. The growing relationships will warm your heart and enrich your soul. Come every week as the lineup shifts and new friends are made. 

April 6: David Thorne Scott, Eric Marcs, Emily Sangder 
April 20: David Thorne Scott, Eric Marcs, Emily Sangder, Peter Eldridge 
May 4: David Thorne Scott, Eric Marcs, Kristin Cifelli, Peter Eldridge
 

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On the passing of Stephen Sondheim. 

Gail Leondar-Wright and Joseph Mullholand wrote this beautiful song to symbolize the one minute during which the lights would dim on Broadway to mark the passing of Stephen Sondheim. I was fortunate to get to record it. Listen here:

https://youtu.be/snJiJljkP0I

 

Healing America through music 

I get it. Sounds like hubris. 

"Healing America through music"? Who do you think you are, Scott? 

Well, I look around and it seems like this American rural/urban divide is only getting more intense. My hometown of Kearney, Nebraska has a lot in common with my where my friend Rick lives in Western Massachusetts, and Omaha actually has quite a bit in common with Boston. But neither side has much to say to the other. 

In order to make a change, we have to start by "looking at the man in the mirror." (thanks Michael Jackson). We need to start seeing others "as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.” (thanks Charles Dickens) 

So how to change our hearts and minds? Well, at this task music has proven to be as effective as anything. 

I'm asking you, my friends, to sit down, pour yourself the beverage of your choice, and open your ears. My album "Thornewood" is available on youtube, spotify, apple and bandcamp. If it speaks to you, share it with your friends and acquaintances, even those you don't normally have much in common with. 

So can we heal America through music? Let's find out.

More info click here

Livestream concert - 50th birthday party 

Okay so I admit I wasn't really super looking forward to turning 50. So how to make the best of it? Invite my (vaccinated) friend and super-pianist Mark Shilansky over and perform a concert! It was streaming on ATAC160.org.

Missed it? That's okay. Here's the video below, or watch it on Youtube