Rhoda Scott, born in 1938 in Dorothy, New Jersey, is an acclaimed American jazz organist and singer, affectionately known as "The Barefoot Lady" for her unique practice of playing the organ shoeless. Raised in a musical family, she began accompanying gospel and spirituals in her father's church at the age of eight. Scott pursued formal studies at the Manhattan School of Music, earning a Master of Music degree in 1967. Her dynamic fusion of jazz, gospel, and classical influences has led to collaborations with legends like Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, and Ray Charles. Since relocating to France in 1967, she has captivated international audiences with her virtuosic Hammond organ performances. In 2018, Scott was honored as a Commandeur in the Order of Arts and Letters. ([rhoda-scott.com](https://rhoda-scott.com/bio/?utm_source=openai))