Ronnie Scott OBE, born Ronald Schatt on January 28, 1927, in Aldgate, London, was a renowned British jazz tenor saxophonist and influential jazz club owner. He co-founded the iconic Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London's Soho in 1959, which became a pivotal venue for jazz musicians worldwide.

Scott's musical journey began in his teens, playing in small jazz clubs. He toured with Johnny Claes and Ted Heath in the mid-1940s and was involved with the musicians' co-operative Club Eleven. Exposure to Bebop during trips to New York City in the late 1940s significantly influenced his style.

Throughout his career, Scott played with prominent bands and musicians, including Jack Parnell's orchestra, The Jazz Couriers with Tubby Hayes, and the Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Big Band. He led various groups, often featuring notable musicians like Stan Tracey, John Surman, and Kenny Wheeler.

Scott's contributions to jazz were recognized with an OBE in 1981. Despite his success, he struggled with depression and died on December 23, 1996, from an accidental overdose of barbiturates. His legacy endures through his recordings and the continued prominence of Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club.