Scott Gates began piano lessons at age four. At age seven, his yearning to play mandolin came to the forefront and he studied both instruments for the next three years applying the theory and musicality learned on the piano to the mandolin.
Scott spent six years studying under the tutelage of Mandolin Master, Evan J. Marshall of Los Angeles, Calif. His training was augmented by private lessons with other masters in extensive mandolin training courses including David Grisman’s and Mike Marshall’s, A Mandolin Symposium, and the Classical Mandolin Society of America conventions. In addition to Grisman and M. Marshall, several other mandolinists from around the world who are masters of their genre have shared their knowledge with Scott including: Rich Del Grosso, blues; Catarina Lichtenberg, classical; Mike Compton, Monroe-style bluegrass; Don Stiernberg, jazz; Ugo Orlandi, Italian to name a few. The diversity of Scott's training has helped him create his own unique sound.
Jump to 2008, Scott Gates at age sixteen has established himself as a professional musician leading and managing his own band, Pacific Ocean Bluegrass (POB). Two years running, Scott has won first place in the prestigious Topanga Banjo/Fiddle Contest in the band category with POB in May 2007; the same title with The Muddy Buddys in May 2008.
Scott Gates and Pacific Ocean Bluegrass Band stay busy playing a variety of venues from coffee shops to music festivals, home concerts to performing arts centers and radio shows. POB has showcased in Nashville at the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) convention, performed a two hour radio show in Nashville, and was a featured guest along with George Jones on the late Hank Thompson’s radio show “Live from Smokey the Bar.”
Scott’s mandolin style is not strictly bluegrass. Scott has caught the attention of the following artists with whom he frequently plays: Chelsea Williams, an amazing new-folk singer/songwriter; Nathan McEuen, turbo-folk artist; John McEuen of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band fame. He has accepted invitations to sit in with other artists across the board as well, including Rich Del Grosso, Steve Smith and Hard Road, James King, The Witcher Brothers, The Fiddling Marshall Brothers and often showcases at Disney’s California Adventure theme park with The Miner 49ers.
Some of Scott’s most exciting moments in music education and performance include being called up by Chris Thile as a visual example of how to improvise during a class offered at the first Mandolin Symposium; being chosen to compete on NBC’s America’s Most Talented Kids; playing live on radio stations in California and in Tennessee; being a featured guest on cable television’s Backstage: Los Angeles with host Michael Sunday. In addition, Scott has been featured as an emerging artist in “Bluegrass Unlimited” magazine, and has performed two consecutive years as a member of the Bluegrass Youth All-Stars at IBMA.
Scott has completed two C.D.’s. The first, "Legacy", was recorded while Scott was 11 years old and is dedicated to his grandfather, Marco Manzo, who first introduced him to the mandolin. There are three vocals on the recording, the rest instrumental. One, Ninuzza Mia (My Little Nina) was written in 1949 by Scott’s grandfather. The second and third parts were later written by Scott and recorded with Manzo’s 1990’s track of the melody.
The second CD, “Festival Kids,” was recorded while Scott was age 13. This recording was made by the first generation of Scott Gates and Pacific Ocean Bluegrass band. Band members began collaborating at California bluegrass festivals, which sparked the beginnings of their music history. Though each of the original band members, aside from Scott, have moved away, started their own bands, gone on to college, or have married, Scott has maintained his band with replacement, but seasoned performers, and continues to play consistently throughout each year.
In June 2008, Scott Gates and his band, played twice on the SouthWest Bluegrass Association stage at the 32nd Annual Huck Finn Jubilee in Victorville,Calif. on Father’s Day Weekend. In addition, Scott accepted an invitation to guest with the headlining performers of the Huck-Finn Jubilee “The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band” on Sunday, June 15. John McEuen (banjo, NGDB) showcased his son Nathan McEuen, and Scott Gates during his own solo part of the Dirt Band show, as well as bringing them both on stage again, with fiddler Byron Berline, for a medley as the band finale.
Click here to watch the video! |
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with John McEuen |
with Mike Nadolson |
"The
energy... nothing short of magical."
- Sandy Jacobson, Producer
"The John McEuen show... with its guest performers Chelsea Williams
and Scott Gates... so fantastic that I feel sorry for those who
were turned away or could not come. Put them on your "must see"
list for the next time they come to town. I did warn that March
would be out of this world."
- Bob Stane -
The Coffee Gallery BACKSTAGE, Altadena, CA
John McEuen with Scott Gates videos on YouTube |
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Scott's grandfather, Marco Manzo
Scott 2002
Scott & Evan Marshall
Scott with his hero, Chris Thiele
with Molly Tuttle @ IBMA 2006
with Phil Salazar, Dave Gooding
with Paul McCallum
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