NICK SCOTT BASS PLAYER - TESTIMONIALS

‘I met Nick Scott over twenty years ago and was first blown away by his concentration and attention to detail in rehearsals, in making little recordings, and carefully charting the songs.  When it came to the gig, Nick transformed from the meticulous student of the songs to becoming a fully-fledged performer of the songs, wholeheartedly giving himself to the gig and being the trusted backbone of any set-up.  Nick is an exquisite player who brings good humour, creativity, professionalism and taste to every project I have ever been involved in with him and I count myself lucky every time I get to share a stage with him.’

Duke Special, Recording Artist and Musical Director

‘It’s always an absolute pleasure to have Nick playing bass on a session. As well as being a master of his instrument, his knowledge and appreciation of music, in general, are enormous, and the commitment and enthusiasm he brings to a recording are infectious.’

Ben McAuley, Recording Engineer, Exile Productions Limited and freelance

‘I always get the feeling that Nicky Scott prepares for and treats a session with me like he would if it were the likes of Van Morrison or Mary Black. Not only does that fill me with confidence as an artist, but it also means, that, be it on stage or in the studio, I know that I can completely rely on Nick to deliver nothing but sheer professionalism and a standard of musicality that is not often surpassed. The fact that he's so sound as a person is just an added bonus!’

Matt McGinn: Singer-Songwriter and Producer

‘It has been my good fortune to know & work with Nick Scott over a period of more than 40 years. We have been colleagues in a wide variety of musical contexts: theatre & TV shows, live gigs, and too many studio recording sessions to remember. To all of these situations, Nick brings his formidable arsenal of musical talent coupled with an engaging sense of humour which never fails to lift the spirits of all of those around him. He always arrives with his "homework" done and generously shares the fruits of this meticulous preparation with the rest of us.

As a collaborator, he brings a wealth of diverse experience gained over a lifetime of work, much of that experience at (deservedly) the highest of international levels. However, he wears his achievements very lightly & maintains a youthful enthusiasm & openness in his approach, whatever the project. You know that he's still a fan at heart, always seeking out new stuff to listen to, chasing sounds, grooves, lines, still a true believer in the magic of it all.

In the recording studio, Nick provides a staggering range of options both in terms of musical ideas & sonic choices. These choices include upright bass, bass harmonica and a large selection of contrastive-voiced, vintage bass guitars - made all the more effective by the man playing them. Nick has serious knowledge and love of Bass History (and music history in general) but isn't bound by it. He's musically literate but doesn't let that stop him from thinking outside the box.

Not only is he an exceptionally gifted bass player (his discography speaks for itself) he's also one of the most delightful human beings walking the planet, bar none. You will not meet a more helpful or more gracious fellow traveller on your musical journey.

To put it simply: if I'm asked to do a gig or a session ad I'm told Nick Scott is to be the bass player on it then that's it. Everything will be just fine.’

Rod McVey: Composer, Musical Director, session musician for Van Morrison, Liam O’Flynn, owner of Pookah Sound Studio, Holywood

‘Nick Scott:- groove, tone, dynamics, musicality,........he brings it all.

Being part of a rhythm section with Nick is always a joy, and I have had the privilege for almost 20 years, both live and in the studio. And coupled with the convenience of his new state-of-the-art home studio facility, he is now sounding better than ever. I can’t recommend him highly enough.’

Rod Quinn: Drummer and percussionist with Gilbert O’Sullivan, Van Morrison, Mary Black, Brian Kennedy et al

‘I’ve worked with Nick on many projects with numerous artists. What always strikes me when working with him is his level of musicianship and his empathy for the project and music we’re working on. Nick not only delivers exactly what is needed at the right moment but always brings much much more, being a brilliantly talented musician and a gentleman.’

Bill Shanley:  Session guitarist/pianist, Composer, Musical Director for Mary Black, Ray Davies, Sinead O’Connor, Paul Brady, Gilbert O’Sullivan et al

‘Nicky Scott is quite simply in the top tier of musicians in the British Isles. Nick is not just a bass player of international repute, his work with Van Morrison, Gilbert O Sullivan and many others is a testament to that but he is also very much a local musician with a lifetime of giving back to the community he lives in, by bringing his enormous talent to the smallest projects.

Gifted, generous, tenacious, humble and endlessly positive in any musical situation, whether on an international stage, a local theatre or a classroom Nick brings a lifetime of incredible experience to the table and all of that with an easygoing manner that is at once disarming and encouraging. 

He is a man I'd always want on my side in any situation. He is simply the best of the best.’ 

Liam Bradley: Drummer, percussionist and vocalist, session and touring musician for many artists, including The Blue Nile, Ronan Keating, Tim Robbins, Brian Kennedy, Van Morrison, Mary Black, Liam O’Flynn, Rufus Wainwright, Coolfin et al

‘If you want the right bass part for your song ‘CALL NICKY SCOTT.’  I along with countless others have come to this conclusion over the years. I have been lucky enough to have known and worked with him on many and various projects for almost 30 years. There's no ego. Just a fantastic ability to play exactly what's needed. His wonderful musicality coupled with a beautiful generosity of spirit is what sets him apart. I don't think he knows how  good he is and he's the best.’

Pat Gribben: Songwriter and Producer, ‘The Adventures’, Ryan Molloy and many others

‘Nicky Scott is the consummate professional. Always plays to the song, never too much, never less. Always perfect. Nicky adds to the overall feel and movement of any track he works on. A true professional and a complete pleasure to work with.’ 

Paul Casey: Songwriter and Producer, owner of Cable Junction Studios, Derry

‘If the drums are the bricks and the bass is the mortar, then Nicky Scott is the best mortar you can get. If you want a solid foundation for your music, look no further than the true “tree trembler”. As a frontman, I know the reassurance a solid rhythm section provides. When Nicky is in the band we almost don't need drums because he's so sonically steady and rhythmically robust. He's the first person I call for studio or live gigs, an all-rounder on electric or upright bass. Nicky provides a range of melodic invention in his bass lines that sonically brings the songs and the sound of my band together.’

Brian Houston: Songwriter and Producer, owner of Stoney Road Studios, Belfast

‘We all have a ‘go-to’ guy or girl you can rely on when you need a contribution to a music project.

Nick Scott is that bass player, who I turn to for demos, live gigs and especially recordings. He’s not only a perfectionist but delivers work promptly with no room for errors and - to excuse the pun - he always has all ‘bases’ covered.

In the studio he’s a joy to work with, making the artist feel at ease and he always brings a variety of bass instruments with him that you may or may not know that you needed. I usually didn’t know..! I have been playing bass myself for 40 years but still prefer the diligence, expertise and care that Nick brings to a session.

In recent years he recorded all the bass parts brilliantly on my solo album ‘The Sun The Moon, The Stars…And Other Moving Objects’ and in the last year - since the Pandemic changed everything - has added his vision to my lockdown project ‘Lemonade Marinade’. He provided his work for free on this project, as all proceeds are going to charitable mental health projects. I am looking forward to more enjoyable sessions in the future with Ireland’s finest bassist, Nick Scott.’

David Dee Moore: Singer/Songwriter/Producer/Broadcaster

https://daviddeemoore.bandcamp.com/album/the-sun-the-moon-the-stars-and-other-moving-objects

https://lemonademarinade.bandcamp.com

‘It's very difficult to condense into a few sentences your thoughts on a person you've known for 30 years. I'll try but probably won't succeed. If you're thinking of having bass on a tour, live or recording, get Nick Scott. Full Stop! You can easily sit with him for hours on a plane, train or automobile and he’ll do it again! He'll always play the right note at the right time and gives more than asked for. Nick always plays music and not sound; ultimately what all musicians strive to do!’

Francis McPeake, Artist, Sessions and Producer, McPeake

As Company Manager, I need to have confidence in the bass player - if the saxophonist has to change a reed, or even [as happened one year] the piano suddenly cuts out - the Bass Player can save the song. One of the biggest problems with being a company manager for pantomime, in particular, is finding musicians of a certain type; they need to be excellent players and readers, but also be able to hold things together when things suddenly change...!

A cast member might suddenly sing an extra chorus, or plough through a repeat without noticing. The Musical Director must trust the band to be able to cope with this, and Nicky Scott never fails. Pantomimes frequently switch from playing a contemporary pop song from the charts to one from the ‘70s, or even a famous standard from something like 42nd Street, and Nicky Scott plays them all - properly, every show.

Paul Johnson, Company Tour Manager, Crossroads Pantomimes Limited

‘It’s always a pleasure to work with Nick Scott - a most professional and gifted bass player [and singer] who always brings such a positive and upbeat approach - he must enjoy his work!’

Joe O’Reilly, 3ú Records, Management for the artist, Mary Black

Nick Scott has been a professional bass player operating at the highest level for well over thirty years now with an unparalleled record as a touring and recording session musician who has been first-call for countless artists.

He has had significant and numerous accolades as the bass player on albums by Tom Jones, Van Morrison, Mary Black, Andy White, Sinead O’Connor, Paul Casey and many others, together with copious live-touring performance experiences with many artists including Mary Black, Frankie Vaughn, The Chieftains, Phil Coulter, Howard Keel, Juliet Turner, Ulster Television [‘The Gerry Kelly Show’ house-band], Brendan Quinn, The John Anderson Big Band, BBC [numerous productions including ‘The Show’, ‘Sing Out’, ‘Do You Come Here Often’, ‘Gilly’, ‘The Jimmy Kennedy Songbook’], Channel 4 [‘TFI Friday’, ‘The Late Show with David Letterman’], Brian Kennedy, Frances Black, Gilbert O'Sullivan, Nick Lowe et al, to name but a few.

He was also a lead tutor for many years from 1999 -2015 with The Making Music Workshop Limited, amassing over 1,000 hours of mentoring experience, where he tackled peace and reconciliation issues through songwriting workshops.

Recently, during the period of the Pandemic, he has also made a significant impact as a mentor through the auspices of The University of Ulster [Magee Campus, Derry].
He is the consummate professional who is comprehensive in his approach to preparation and delivery and is renowned as a positive force in the industry, a role model, and one of the few session players from Ireland to make a significant international impact.

Dr. Linley Hamilton: B. Eng. MMus Dip. Cult. Man. FHEA
lp.hamilton@ulster.ac.uk, Composer, Sessions and Touring musician, Educator