John Scott Trotter
John Scott Trotter Jr.
June 14, 1908
Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
October 29, 1975 (aged 67)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Arranger, composer, orchestra leader
1925–1975
Early life[edit]
Trotter was born John Scott Trotter, Jr. on June 14, 1908, in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was born to parents John Scott Trotter and Lelia Trotter (née Bias).[4]
Trotter attended local schools in Charlotte. He studied piano under Ida Moore Alexander. In 1925, Trotter entered the University of North Carolina, where he began his career as a professional musician playing piano for a college band led by Hal Kemp. Kemp had entered the university in 1922 and graduated in 1926, but Trotter withdrew near the end of his first year to join Kemp's band as pianist and arranger, a position he held until 1936.[5]
Death[edit]
Trotter died of cancer on October 29, 1975, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. He was buried in Sharon Memorial Park in Charlotte. Surviving him were a sister, Margaret Kinghorn, and two brothers, William and Robert Trotter.[4]