John Scofield
John Scofield: A Legendary Jazz Guitarist and Prolific Musician
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#### Full Name and Common Aliases
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John Scofield's full name is John Theodore Scofield III.
#### Birth and Death Dates
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Born on December 26, 1951, in Dayton, Ohio. Still active in the music industry as of this writing (2023).
#### Nationality and Profession(s)
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American jazz guitarist, singer, composer, and record producer.
Early Life and Background
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Growing up in a musical family, Scofield began playing piano at age 8 and guitar at 12. His father was a bassist who played with the likes of Chet Baker and the Modern Jazz Quartet, exposing John to jazz from an early age. After studying at Berklee College of Music, he moved to New York City in the late 1970s to pursue a career as a professional musician.
#### Early Influences
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Scofield's early influences spanned multiple genres: rock (Eric Clapton), blues (B.B. King), and jazz (Pat Martino). These diverse styles have continued to shape his unique sound, which blends mastery of various musical traditions with innovative experimentation.
Major Accomplishments
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Throughout his career, Scofield has released numerous critically acclaimed albums on labels such as ECM, Blue Note, and Verve. Some of his most notable works include:
"A Go Go" (1990): This album marked a pivotal shift in Scofield's style, incorporating elements of rock, funk, and R&B into his jazz sound.
"Quiet" (2005): Featuring a mix of original compositions and standards, "Quiet" showcased Scofield's versatility as both a leader and sideman.
Notable Works or Actions
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As an accomplished collaborator and producer, Scofield has worked with artists across the musical spectrum:
Peter Gabriel: Scofield contributed guitar work to several tracks on Peter Gabriel's 1990 album "Us".
Herbie Hancock: He appeared as a guest artist on Herbie Hancock's 2005 album "Possibilities".
Impact and Legacy
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Scofield's influence can be heard in the playing styles of many contemporary jazz musicians, who have been inspired by his innovative approach to the guitar. As both a bandleader and collaborator, he continues to push the boundaries of what is possible on the instrument.
#### Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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John Scofield's contributions to modern jazz are undeniable. Through his tireless creative output and innovative spirit, he has left an indelible mark on the music world.
Quotes by John Scofield
The jazz clubs wind up having only rich tourists - the kids can't come. If they do, then they spend their entire monthly allotments on a 45-minute set.
The chairman has been getting earmarks for his district for 25 years ... long before this firm existed.
This is music I've known since I first started to play the guitar. Ray's music was one of my inspirations: He was a super soul-music man, but he was also a jazz musician, too. I see him as the height of honest expression.
... one thing people always ask me is 'How do you play outside?' ... I have no idea how to teach that, but when I was discussing this with our bass player Jesse Murphy, he said 'tell them to go cliff diving'... In other words, when you're jamming, you have to take risks if you want to find new sounds...
...The key to playing with any group is you listen all the time and you listen more than you play.
... sound is what drives my solos, not verbal concepts, I never think 'I'm going to use a Lydian Dominant scale and then go up a half-step', even though that might be exactly what I end up doing...
