Scott H. Thompson, Jazz Journalist and Public Relations expert, died peacefully at his home in Palm Beach, Florida on October 24, 2025. He was 71.
Born in New York City in 1954, Scott’s love of music ignited in 1968 at age 14 when he attended a Jimi Hendrix concert in Kansas City. Scott discovered Wes Montgomery and many Jazz, Blues, and Rock legends. Music became a constant in the Thompson household. Scott graduated from Twin Lakes High School in West Palm Beach, FL in 1972.
Scott studied Broadcast Journalism at the University of Bridgeport, CT and began his career with the Associated Press Radio Network, NBC-AM New York, and WPLR-FM New Haven. Scott had a decades long association with WPKN-FM Bridgeport as a DJ noted for his engaging radio voice and eclectic mix of jazz, rock, blues, funk, latin, and R&B.
From 1994-2000 Scott co-produced and emceed the New Haven Jazz Festival, bringing such luminaries as Sonny Rollins, Dave Brubeck, Celia Cruz, and Stanley Turrentine to the New Haven Green.
In 2004, Scott was hired as Assistant Director of Public Relations for Jazz At Lincoln Center and was instrumental in opening a new facility at the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle in New York City. At JALC, Scott was publicist for Dizzy's Club, wrote press releases and Playbill articles for concerts in Rose Theater and the Appel Room, and engaged with artists Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis, Eddie Palmieri, and countless others.
Following his tenure at JALC, Scott founded Scott Thompson Public Relations in 2013. Over the next twelve years Scott worked passionately with countless Jazz artists including Monty Alexander, Randy Weston, Elio Villafranca, and Lenny White. Scott’s hallmark was his ability to connect on both a personal and professional level with his clients.
A prolific writer and interviewer, Scott contributed to Downbeat, Jazz Times, and All About Jazz. He wrote liner notes for numerous CDs including Herbie Hancock Head Hunters and Weather Report 8:30. Scott penned over 80 lead features for Playbill and interviewed hundreds of musicians, including Sonny Stitt, Bill Frisell, and Frank Zappa. Scott was a founding member of the Jazz Journalists Association.
Scott is survived by his son Trevor J.Y. Thompson, and brothers Mark, Chris, and Addison.
Born in New York City in 1954, Scott’s love of music ignited in 1968 at age 14 when he attended a Jimi Hendrix concert in Kansas City. Scott discovered Wes Montgomery and many Jazz, Blues, and Rock legends. Music became a constant in the Thompson household. Scott graduated from Twin Lakes High School in West Palm Beach, FL in 1972.
Scott studied Broadcast Journalism at the University of Bridgeport, CT and began his career with the Associated Press Radio Network, NBC-AM New York, and WPLR-FM New Haven. Scott had a decades long association with WPKN-FM Bridgeport as a DJ noted for his engaging radio voice and eclectic mix of jazz, rock, blues, funk, latin, and R&B.
From 1994-2000 Scott co-produced and emceed the New Haven Jazz Festival, bringing such luminaries as Sonny Rollins, Dave Brubeck, Celia Cruz, and Stanley Turrentine to the New Haven Green.
In 2004, Scott was hired as Assistant Director of Public Relations for Jazz At Lincoln Center and was instrumental in opening a new facility at the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle in New York City. At JALC, Scott was publicist for Dizzy's Club, wrote press releases and Playbill articles for concerts in Rose Theater and the Appel Room, and engaged with artists Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis, Eddie Palmieri, and countless others.
Following his tenure at JALC, Scott founded Scott Thompson Public Relations in 2013. Over the next twelve years Scott worked passionately with countless Jazz artists including Monty Alexander, Randy Weston, Elio Villafranca, and Lenny White. Scott’s hallmark was his ability to connect on both a personal and professional level with his clients.
A prolific writer and interviewer, Scott contributed to Downbeat, Jazz Times, and All About Jazz. He wrote liner notes for numerous CDs including Herbie Hancock Head Hunters and Weather Report 8:30. Scott penned over 80 lead features for Playbill and interviewed hundreds of musicians, including Sonny Stitt, Bill Frisell, and Frank Zappa. Scott was a founding member of the Jazz Journalists Association.
Scott is survived by his son Trevor J.Y. Thompson, and brothers Mark, Chris, and Addison.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
