The Cunningham family moved from New Mexico to Baltimore in 1970. The jazz guitarist was determined to travel to New York and play music but did not have the funding, so he picked up a part time job selling pianos. Meanwhile he performed jazz part-time with the Cole McKay Trio at clubs such as Burkes, and the Playboy Club. Cole had formerly been with Renaud’s group. Scott also performed at the Villa Nova Club with Hammond organist Don Cavey. They performed jazzy material such as Jimmy Smith, and Jimmy McGriff songs.
Still with a determination to make it in New York in 1974 Scott traveled there and met up with Jay Ellis (producer for Gloria Gaynor, Carol Douglas…). He joined a band which featured pianist David Platner and they backed Gloria Gaynor around the NY, NJ area. Scott was introduced to Lovin’ Spoonful bassist Steve Boone who had a recording studio. Unknown to Scott at the time Steve’s ITI studio (later known as Blue Seas) was back in Baltimore. After turning down an offer to tour with the Four Aces he returned to Baltimore where he continued to record and perform with local musicians including Guy ‘Yug’ Phillips and others.
Scott continued to perform as a solo artist three nights a week at O’Henry’s. He eventually formed a group with Yug Phillips (guitar), Jimmy Lawler (drums), Leo McLaughlin (bass), and Greg Nepp (keyboards). Later along with keyboardist Billy Cole (Collucci) they formed a new Scott Cunningham band including Art Volpe (bass ex-Tempests), and Brian Freed (drums ex-Rize, Meat). This group made trips to Southhampton, Long Island. They performed with Herbie Hancock at Painter’s Mill; also, Muddy Waters, Sonny Terry, James Cotton, and others.
A 1975 EP release recorded at Blue Seas featured the songs “Morning Madness,” “Moonchild,” “Blues Take You Over,” “Father Music” (Black Horse 4239). The record was promoted by DJ Bill Campbell and received local airplay.
Scott also performed at Shakespeare’s Jazz and Blues Room and eventually managed the club. Always looking for places to perform, in 1976 he found the old rundown Congress Hotel in which he and Jack Voss opened the Marble Bar. After finding that he could not continue to play nightly and still properly manage the place he began to bring in other acts. The club featured local and nationally known predominately jazz and blues artists.
In 1978 Scott released an LP titled “Blues Take You Over” (Marble Bar 1010) featuring above noted Cole, Volpe, and Freed, along with Mike Sciuto and Marcel Turner (bass), Bob Butta (keyboards), Guy Phillips and Dave Carrera (guitars), Bob Wyatt, Ben Kaplan and Jim Lawler (percussion). Others mentioned during this period of performing and recording included Bill Nelson (bass), and Ron Diehl (sax).
The Marble Bar struggled to attract an audience for their top-notch musical acts and began to run into financial difficulties. TeeVee Feldman (percussionist and vocalist of the Loose Shoes Rhythm Band) came in to lend financial support to the club injecting the club with new life. His Loose Shoes was also the house band.
During the summer of 1978 the club shut down due to the lack of air conditioning and the musty atmosphere, with plans to reopen in the fall. During the summer the ownership was transferred to Roger Anderson and Leslee Anderson. Roger was formerly a member of the mid-’70s band Clear. They transformed the club to a new wave / punk rock scene featuring local bands such as Da Moronics, Thee Katatonix, Scratch ‘n Sniff, Zehn Archar… and the house band featuring Roger and Leslee in the Alcoholics. In the early ‘80s the Hotel’s second floor club reopened as the Galaxy Ballroom. During its heyday the Marble Bar developed a reputation as Baltimore’s equivalent of New York’s CBGB’s.
In the late ‘70s Scott could be seen at the Tijuana Jail in Towson and BJ’s on Gorsuch Avenue as a solo and with his group the Blueberry Blues Band. Scott continued to play music over the years and performed with many combinations of fine local musicians including Bill Boublitz, Paul Soroka, Ralph Fisher, Lantz Cox, Terry Battle, Dave Carrera, Mark Easley, Gary Flowers, Scott Johnson, and others.
Many of these musicians continued to be active in music. A 1987 recording by Rich Hodge “Down in Baltimore” b/w “Switchblade Knife” (McCormick 005) was recorded at GRC Studios with many above noted musicians featuring Terry Battle, Leo McLaughlin, Dave Carrera, Stix Friedman, Mike McCormick, and Dave Fairall.
Scott and The Killer Blues Band released a CD in 2000 featuring Scott (guitar, vocals), Dave Farrell (sax), Dave Carrera (guitar), Mark Easley (bass), Yogi Dickerson (drums), and Ralph Fisher (drums).
Scott and his Uptown All Stars continued to perform in the ‘00s.
Leslee Anderson released a rockabilly and roots music album in 1988.
Record releases by Scott Cunningham:
1975(EP) Black Horse 4239
1978(LP) Marble Bar 1010 Blues Take You Over
2000(CD) Racetrack Used Cars
