Take Five With Dr. Tuxedo (Scott Sims)

Meet Dr. Tuxedo (Scott Sims):
Dr. Tuxedo is a smooth blend of jazz, blues, and funk. His musical sketches are sophisticated instrumentals that evoke a sense of style and flare. These soundtracks give listeners a theme song to the movies of the imagination.

Instrument(s):
Guitar, bass, drums and percussion.

Teachers and/or influences?
My influences mainly come from rock 'n' roll. I love the jazz that comes through in The Doors' recordings. John Desmore and Ray Manzarek were jazz guys at heart. Steely Dan is another great jazz band that was mistakenly labeled "rock." One of the greatest jazz trios ever was Black Sabbath. Ozzy added the vocals and Heavy Metal was born.

I knew I wanted to be a musician when...
When I first saw someone playing guitar. I thought "Oh, is that how they make that awesome sound?"

Your sound and approach to music:
I'm such a huge music fan. It really speaks to me on such a profound level. I think it affects me more than most people. I'm the guy who has to sit in the car in the parking lot because the song on the radio is not over yet. I love the idea that I can create something that moves other people the way my favorite artists move me.

Your favorite recording in your discography and why?
"Pimp My Profile" was an especially cool song. It started as a bass groove that I sent over to Luc Goyer in Montreal, who played drums on the track. Luc put a very funky feel to it so we got Dimitris Palimeris for keyboards. Dimitris used a combination of Hammond and Rhodes keys for that song that just took it right back to 1975. It ended up sounding like a theme song from a '70s cop show.

What do you think is the most important thing you are contributing musically?
Another point of view. I consider myself a jazz musician but I tend to filter it through my love of rock, especially classic rock. So I'm definitely not a purist when it comes to jazz and my approach to the genre. I love when artists cover a song (or play a standard, as we jazz guys say) because it's a new way to hear something you already love. Amy Winehouse doing "Mr. Magic" was phenomenal because I loved the Grover Washington, Jr. song for years. What an awesome gift to hear it again for the first time.

How would you describe the state of jazz today?
Jazz is the new underground. It's not out in the mainstream so fans have to search it out. Those fans are much more educated about the music as a result. They don't see music as a disposable item that is endlessly broadcast everywhere they turn. They value it more. Therefore I see no problem in "keeping jazz alive." There will always be folks out there that love great jazz.

What is in the near future?
I'm currently working on my third album. I think the material now is moving into a more groove-oriented direction. I finished building a new studio recently so that's definitely giving me more musical options as far as instrumentation and production goes. It's like having more colors to paint with. Look for some more collaborations, particularly with horns and keyboards.

By Day:
I'm actually in the bridal fashion and men's formalwear business. My wife and I have a bridal salon and tuxedo shop in the Metro Detroit area. My customers all know me as "the tuxedo guy" and my music fans know me as "Dr. Tuxedo."

If I weren't a jazz musician, I would be a:
Blues musician.