1950s to 1960s In 1958 he moved to New York, where he worked in a factory while playing in nightclubs in the evenings. He met songwriter
Luther Dixon, and had his first success writing
arrangements for
The Shirelles. He worked as a songwriter and arranger with musicians including
Jackie Wilson,
Don Covay,
Hank Ballard,
Dee Clark,
Sam Cooke and
Solomon Burke. He arranged
Doris Troy's 1963 hit "
Just One Look". In 1964, he co-wrote "
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" with
Bennie Benjamin and
Sol Marcus; the co-writing credit was given to Ott's wife, Gloria Caldwell, because as a
BMI member Ott was not permitted to work with
ASCAP members. The song was included on
Nina Simone's album
Broadway-Blues-Ballads, in an arrangement by Ott, and was later a hit for
The Animals. He continued working with Nina Simone, arranging her 1968 hit "
Ain't Got No, I Got Life", and also worked as an arranger in the late 1960s with
Aretha Franklin,
Eric Burdon,
Bessie Banks,
George Benson,
Mary Wells,
Jimmy McGriff, and many others. In 1969, Ott went to the UK, arriving on May 23. He was there to record
Louisa Jane White, a young artist who had recently been discovered by pianist and arranger,
Tommy Sanderson. At the time White was being managed by Al Grossman. Ott's role in setting up the recording session was for United States market potential.
1970s onwards In the 1970s, Ott continued as an arranger with jazz and R&B musicians including
Houston Person,
Bernard Purdie,
Rusty Bryant,
Gil Scott-Heron,
Junior Parker,
Lou Donaldson,
Richard "Groove" Holmes and
The Stylistics. ==Discography==