Scott Mayo, Class of 1980

  • Scott Mayo, a 1980 Rush-Henrietta graduate, is a gifted saxophonist, flutist, singer, composer, and Grammy-nominated musician and producer. A fixture in the Los Angeles music scene, Scott is a multidimensional performer who has toured the world. Reviews of his performances describe him as an “immense talent” and “absolute master of the stage.”

    A Henrietta native, Scott worked at WRHR, the high school radio station, an experience he says prepped him for professional radio work. “Scott hosted Sunday afternoons on the air at WDKX Radio,” recalls station staff member, Ella Dean. “WDKX has launched the careers of many, but Scott has accomplished things that most of us can only dream of. Even though Scott was on the radio as a DJ, everyone knew that his passion was performing. He is a master saxophone player!”

    His passion and talent have made Scott a sought-after performer. He is perhaps best known for his work with Earth, Wind and Fire, having spent six years touring with the group playing saxophone and flute. He has worked with other legendary artists such as Stevie Wonder, Sergio Mendes, Luther Vandross, Steven Tyler, Cee-Lo Green, Michael Bolton, Bruce Springsteen, Carrie Underwood, Beyonce, Tim McGraw, Queen Latifah and Jennifer Hudson.

    In 2003, Scott released his instrumental debut album, Low Angle View, which showcases his talent as a performer. His second album, Testimony, was released this summer and is his first all-vocal project. It is available on iTunes, Amazon and CDBaby.

    No stranger to television, Scott has performed on “The Voice,” “American Idol,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “The Emmy Awards,” and “The Singing Bee.” At the 2011 Grammy Awards, he shared the stage with Mick Jagger and Raphael Saadiq during the tribute to the late “King of Rock n’ Soul,” Solomon Burke. During the 2011 BET Awards, Scott was the featured saxophone soloist honoring the late Clarence Clemons of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.

    Scott’s work has also reached the big screen. He can be heard on the soundtracks for two animated films, Happy Feet Two in 2011 and Epic in 2013.

    He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Jennifer, and has a 21-year old son, Michael, who is a senior at the New England Conservatory of Music.

Scott Mayo '80