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 y'all! I just watched the "Songlines" DVD again. I've had it for a while now, but everytime I watch & listen, you all seem to impress me even more! Wonderful music! I truly enjoy listening to all of your work. Take Care, Heather Jones
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Hi Yonrico! Hope your Carolina trip is going well. Reese had a blast playing with you, Lefty & the gang @ Charlie Mopps. You sounded great as usual! Have a safe trip.
Happy Birthday Yonrico!!!!! Sorry, I can't make it to Matildas this year.... I was really looking forward to it though. I am in Prague now. Will be back on Tuesday. Really wish I could go!
Hi Mr. Scott! Just found out one of the guys Reese plays with is an old bandmate of yours - Sanders. Cool stuff. Hopefully we can get to see you at Zuffy's when you're back in town. Take care.
