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John Scofield

Musician
Forjazz guitar fans, fusion explorers, miles davis devotees, and newcomers seeking a smart entry point to scofield.
9 Reviews 1 Definitions 52 Charts

The Profile

John Scofield (born 1951) is an American jazz guitarist and composer known for a distinctive tone and a style spanning jazz, fusion, funk, blues, and soul‑jazz. A Berklee alum, he rose to wider prominence after playing with Miles Davis in the early 1980s and has since led prolific projects from trios to big bands, collaborating with artists like Bill Frisell, Pat Metheny, Joe Lovano, and Steve Swallow.

Ohio‑born; studied at Berklee; played with Miles Davis (1982–1985); recorded for Blue Note (e.g., Time on My Hands, 1990); featured in Marc Johnson’s Bass Desires with Bill Frisell; long‑running collaborations with Steve Swallow and Bill Stewart; projects with Medeski Martin & Wood and Metropole Orkest; released a Ray Charles tribute in 2005.

DeBaser’s reviews portray John Scofield as a distinctive, instantly recognizable jazz guitarist with deep blues, funk, and fusion roots. A Miles Davis alumnus, he shifts effortlessly from electrified grooves to acoustic and orchestral settings. Time on My Hands is singled out as a turning point, while albums like Überjam, Quiet, Flat Out, and 54 show his range. Consistently praised for tone, inventiveness, and high-level collaborators.

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