Jazz singer Jimmy Scott, famed for his unusually high soprano voice caused by a rare genetic condition, has died, according to media reports. He was 88.
Scott died in his sleep Thursday at his home in Las Vegas, the reports said, without revealing the cause of death.
James Victor Scott was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 17, 1925. He was one of 10 children. Scott began his career in the 1940s, recording with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra, Charlie Parker and others.
He also crossed over into rhythm and blues, reaching the top of the charts with “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool”, though it was bandleader Lionel Hampton, and not Scott, who was credited on the record label.
His distinctive, high voice was traced to Kallmann’s Syndrome, a rare genetic condition that meant he never reached puberty, stunting his growth and leaving his voice undeepened by age.
