At an early age, Yonrico was influenced by the thriving spirit of the Detroit Motown sound and the gospel influence of his mother, Ruth N. Scott. By the time he was 7 years old, he was playing in the top gospel bands in Detroit. At age 14, he began studying with Motown drummer George Hamilton.
After high school graduation, he attended The University of Kentucky and during his freshman year was voted Drummer of the Year. He received a Bachelors degree in performance percussion from Kentucky State University and The University of Kentucky in 1978. During that time he studied with Dave Davenport, professor of percussion and principle timpanist of the Lexington Philharmonic. In 1979, he moved to Atlanta where he became the Artist in Residence at the Neighborhood Arts Center’s Department Of Cultural Affairs. He was then known as the most sought-after studio drummer in Atlanta.
For the past 25 years Yonrico has had the privilege of playing with the following people:
Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Peabo Bryson, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Sammy Davis Jr., Chuck Berry, M.C. Hammer, George Howard, Freddie Hubbard, George Benson, Bruce Hampton, Mose Allison, Phillip Bailey, Anita Baker, After Seven, Tinsley Ellis, The Allman Brothers Band, Susan Tedeschi, Kansas, Sonny Stitt, Andy Gibb, Joshua Redman, John Scofield, Cecil Bridgewater, Alvin Batiste, Gary Burton, Wolfman Washington, Stephanie Mills, Urbie Green, Fiji Mariners, Andrew White, Gregg Allman, The Three Degrees, The Wiz, John Denver, Ben E. King, The Supremes, 5 Guys Named Moe, Dream Girls, The Lexington Philharmonic, Widespread Panic, The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Phil Lesh, and many, many others.
Since 1995, Yonrico has been touring, recording, and writing with The Derek Trucks Band, which released its self-titled debut CD on Landslide Records in October 1997. Since then, the band has released four other CD’s: Out of the Madness, Joyful Noise, Soul Serenade, and mostly recently, Live at The Georgia Theatre. The band is consistently on tour and plays over 150 shows per year both nationally and internationally. The band has played the well-received Blues Cruise and Jam Cruise, as well as a successful tour in Japan. They’ve opened for and performed with great artists such as: Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Joe Satriani, John Popper, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Gregg Allman and Friends, Gov’t Mule, Leftover Salmon, Taj Mahal, Little Milton, Mavis Staples, and Otis Rush.
When Yonrico is not touring or performing with The Derek Trucks Band, he is performing with his own band, The Yonrico Scott Band, which includes Atlanta greats Kofi Burbridge and Todd Smallie. They have a debut album named Turning the Corner, which was released in January 2004.
Yonrico’s instruments of choice are: Pearl Drums, Everyone’s Drumming, LP Percussion, DW Drums, Zildjian cymbals and sticks.
Hey Ricky...I got the photos that Mom took of you and me and I keep it on my desk in my office at home. I also have the other one of just you sitting at the kitchen table and I keep that one at work. I wish my scanner was hooked up to I could send you copies. As far as that goes, I wish Ma had a digital camera...lol! Yeah, you look hot in those glasses!
Hey Yonrico, I'm digging your tunes. Great work. Thank you for the friendship. Drop by and say hello on my comments sometime. Pease and Blessings your way,
Rico! Dropppin' by to show some love and getting an update. Did Hartsfield get in touch with you? I would like to bring you back to Charlotte to a bigger venue possibly around Sept or Oct... GOD BLESS and keep up the GREAT WORK! -benny j.
Hey Yonrico, Carla and I are doing fine, and little Noah should be Home soon, He is doing great and breast feeding. We Miss You please drop by soon. Doyen Carla and Noah
What's up Rico! Just wanted to drop by to show some updated love. Know you been busy and look forward to getting you and your band to some venues within the tri-state area soon! Keep up the great work and holla back when you get a chance! -Peace- bj
See you this week at ALL GOOD with SoulStew Revival,Rico. I'm working for Hittin the Note magazine at ALL GOOD,all weekend. We definitely must find time to say high;) Best Vibes & Safe Travels~ Krishna
thanks for the add. when i was moonlighting as a cabdriver a few years ago, i used to give you cab rides around the atl. thanks for the music. thanks for the tips.
YONRICO,FOR THE RESPECT THAT I HAVE FOR YOU, YOUR ABILITIES,and our PROFESSION THANKS FOR ADDING ME TO YOUR LIST OF FRIENDS. PLEASE VISIT MY SITE WHEN YOU CAN. I HAVE SOME MUSIC ON THERE! YOU MAY ENJOY. EVERYTHING ON MY PAGE IS JUST MY FAVORITES.SINCERE REGARDS, MIKE
