Biography
John Scofield, born December 26, 1951 in Dayton, Ohio, is a highly influential American jazz guitarist and composer. Raised in Wilton, Connecticut, Scofield began playing guitar at age 11, initially inspired by rock and blues musicians such as B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix, and Eric Clapton. His musical interests broadened after being introduced to jazz at age 15, leading him to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he deepened his understanding of jazz theory and improvisation.
Scofield's professional career began in the early 1970s, quickly gaining recognition through collaborations with jazz luminaries such as Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker, and Charles Mingus. He became a member of the Billy Cobham-George Duke Band, and later joined Gary Burton's quartet, replacing Pat Metheny. His international profile rose significantly during his tenure with Miles Davis from 1982 to 1985, contributing to several Davis albums and solidifying his reputation as a leading voice in jazz guitar.
Throughout his career, Scofield has released over 40 albums as a leader, exploring styles from post-bop and jazz fusion to funk, blues, and soul jazz. He is renowned for his distinctive sound, improvisational mastery, and stylistic versatility. Scofield's collaborations span a wide array of artists, including Pat Metheny, Bill Frisell, Herbie Hancock, Joe Lovano, and Medeski, Martin & Wood. His innovative approach and openness to musical experimentation have made him a central figure in modern jazz, earning him three Grammy Awards and a lasting legacy as both a performer and educator.
Fun Facts
- John Scofield is an adjunct professor at New York University, actively teaching jazz guitar.
- He tours the world approximately 200 days per year, maintaining a rigorous performance schedule.
- Scofield has won three Grammy Awards and has been nominated nine times.
- He is known for blending jazz with funk, blues, and soul, often collaborating with artists outside the traditional jazz sphere, including Gov't Mule and Mavis Staples.
Associated Acts
- John Scofield Trio
- Trio Beyond
- John Scofield Band - guitar, original
- Scolohofo
- Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood
- Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen Quartet
- Hudson - guitar
- Hudson - flute
- Adams-Peterson All Stars - guitar
- John Scofield Quartet - eponymous, guitar, original
- David Liebman Quintet
- Gary Burton & Friends
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Steve Swallow - Mentor and early collaborator; formed a trio together in the late 1970s (Trio albums and live performances) [Late 1970s]
- Jim Hall - Stylistic influence; Scofield studied Hall's recordings extensively (Influence evident in Scofield's improvisational style) [1970s onward]
- Wes Montgomery - Major guitar influence; Scofield wore out Montgomery's records as a student (Influence on phrasing and jazz guitar technique) [1970s onward]
- John Coltrane - Inspirational figure; Coltrane's approach to improvisation deeply impacted Scofield (Stylistic inspiration) [1970s onward]
Key Collaborators
- Miles Davis - Band member and contributor; toured and recorded together (Star People, Decoy, You're Under Arrest) [1982–1985]
- Pat Metheny - Collaborator; joint album and performances (I Can See Your House from Here)
- Medeski, Martin & Wood - Frequent collaborators in jazz funk and fusion projects (A Go Go, Out Louder) [1998, 2006]
- Joe Lovano - Frequent collaborator in various ensembles and recordings (Multiple albums and live performances) [1990s–present]
- Bill Frisell - Collaborator in guitar-focused projects (Ensemble recordings and live performances) [1990s–present]
Artists Influenced
- Julian Lage - Inspired by Scofield's improvisational approach and genre-blending style (Lage's jazz fusion and modern jazz recordings) [2010s–present]
- Kurt Rosenwinkel - Cites Scofield as a major influence on his harmonic language and phrasing (Rosenwinkel's modern jazz albums) [2000s–present]
- Adam Rogers - Influenced by Scofield's approach to jazz guitar and improvisation (Rogers' jazz fusion works) [2000s–present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| A Go Go | 1998-04-07 | Album |
| Überjam Deux | 2013-01-01 | Album |
| That's What I Say | 2005-01-01 | Album |
| That's What I Say (Int'l Online/Yahoo Exclusive) | 2005-01-01 | Album |
| Uncle John's Band | 2023-10-13 | Album |
| I Can See Your House From Here | 1994-01-01 | Album |
| Traveler's Blues | 2021-07-30 | Album |
| Country For Old Men | 2016-09-23 | Album |
| Up All Night | 2003-01-01 | Album |
| A Moment's Peace (International Version) | 2011-01-01 | Album |
| The Pedrito Martinez Group | 2013-08-10 | Album |
Top Tracks
- A Go Go (A Go Go)
- I Don't Need No Doctor (That's What I Say)
- I Don't Need No Doctor (That's What I Say (Int'l Online/Yahoo Exclusive))
- The Red One (I Can See Your House From Here)
- Just Don't Want To Be Lonely (Überjam Deux)
- Uncle John’s Band
- A Guitar's Gentle Promise
- Stairway to the Stars (Uncle John's Band)
- Chank (A Go Go)
- Harmony In Your Eyes
External Links
Tags: #acid-jazz, #contemporary-jazz, #jazz
References
Heard on WWOZ
john scofield has been played 22 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.