John Scofield

John Scofield (born December 26, 1951 in Dayton, Ohio) is a jazz guitarist and composer, who played and eventually collaborated with Miles Davis. A bebop master, Scofield is simultaneously well acquainted with R&B and blues styles which he mixes seamlessly with his jazz playing.

Related Topics:
December 26 - 1951 - Dayton, Ohio - Jazz - Guitar - Composer - Miles Davis - Bebop - R&B - Blues

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Educated at the prestigious Berklee School of Music, Scofield eventually joined jazz fusion groups, playing with the likes of Billy Cobham. He recorded with Charles Mingus in 1976, and replaced Pat Metheny in Gary Burton's quartet. In autumn 1976 he signed a contract with Enja Records, and he released his first album East Meets West in 1977. In 1979 he formed a trio with Steve Swallow and Adam Nussbaum. He later joined Miles Davis, with whom he remained until 1985.

Related Topics:
Berklee School of Music - Jazz fusion - Billy Cobham - Charles Mingus - 1976 - Pat Metheny - Gary Burton - Enja Records - East Meets West - 1977 - 1979 - Steve Swallow - Adam Nussbaum - 1985

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While still with Davis, he released the Electric Outlet (1984). Still Warm (1985) followed after he left Davis's group.

Related Topics:
1984 - 1985

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At the beginning of the 1990s, he formed a quartet with Joe Lovano with whom he recorded several important albums for Blue Note Records. Time on My Hands (1990), with Lovano, Charlie Haden and Jack DeJohnette, showcased Scofield's guitar and Mingus-influenced writing. Bill Stewart subsequently became the group's drummer, and played on Meant To Be (1991) and What We Do (1993). In 1992, Scofield released Grace Under Pressure, featuring fellow guitarist Bill Frisell, with Charlie Haden on bass and Joey Baron on drums. Stewart was back in the drum chair for the 1994 collaboration with Pat Metheny, I Can See Your House From Here.

Related Topics:
1990s - Joe Lovano - Blue Note Records - 1990 - Charlie Haden - Jack DeJohnette - Bill Stewart - 1991 - 1993 - 1992 - Bill Frisell - Joey Baron - 1994 - Pat Metheny

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Towards the end of his tenure with Blue Note, Scofield returned to a more funk- and soul jazz-oriented sound, a direction which has dominated much of his subsequent output.

Related Topics:
Funk - Soul jazz

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He released Überjam in 2002 and Up All Night in 2004, two albums on which he experiments with drum n bass and other modern rhythms.

Related Topics:
Überjam - 2002 - 2004 - Drum n bass

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Late 2004 saw the release of EnRoute, which features the jazz trio of John Scofield, Steve Swallow on bass and Bill Stewart on drums. It was recorded live at The Blue Note, NYC in December 2003.

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Scofield is currently serving as an adjunct faculty member in the Jazz Department at New York University's Steinhardt School of Education.

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