10 of the Most Monumental John Scofield Moments
Happy Birthday, Sco! We're celebrating the 64th birthday of living jazz legend John Scofield by looking back at some very special moments throughout his superb career, and looking ahead to new moments of musical badassery.
1. The master jazz innovator is granted the prestiges Miles Davis Award by the Montreal International Jazz Festival in 1998
Starting in 1994, the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal began annually awarding internationally renowned jazz musicians with the Miles Davis Award. The award recognizes the entire works of the musician and his or her contribution to the world of jazz. Other iconic jazz artists who share the honor with Sco include Pet Metheny, Herbie Hancock, Charlie Haden, Chick Corea.
Watch John Scofield live at the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal in 1992: [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSKC4bNlaAg[/embed]
2. John Scofield eases our souls during "So Many Roads" with Phil Lesh & Friends at Brooklyn Bowl Vegas
On April 20, 2014, Phil Lesh, Jackie Greene, John Scofield, John Medeski, Stu Allen, and Joe Russo put the crowd in a frenzy with a night of high-energy Grateful Dead classics. After a rockin' cover of Johnny Cash's "Big River," the boys chilled the crowd down with a gorgeous "So Many Roads." John Scofield hit just the right notes to strike an emotional chord that reverberated throughout the entire crowd.
[embed]https://vimeo.com/108922910[/embed]
3. John Scofield is discovered by Billy Cobham
Generally renowned as fusion's greatest drummer, Billy Cobham's passionate technique fueled some of the jazz's most important early recordings, including innovative efforts by Miles Davis and the Mahavishnu Orchestra. Watch John Scofield jamming with Billy Cobham, George Duke, and Alphonso Johnson on July 6, 1976 in Montreux, Switzerland: [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bN9Vaml0dZE&feature=youtu.be[/embed]4. John Scofield begins a collaborative friendship with Miles Davis
In 1982, John Scofield joined Miles Davis, with whom he remained for three-and-a-half amazing years. Scofield contributed guitar work to three Miles Davis albums, Star People, You're Under Arrest, and Decoy. Watch John Scofield play "Something on Your Mind" with Miles Davis at the North Sea Jazz Festival, The Hague, in 1985: [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLreRpSaSeU[/embed]
5. John Scofield and Gov't Mule team up as "Sco-Mule" at The Cap and the result is simply stunning
On March 13 and 14, 2015, the anticipation was high as John Scofield joined Gov't Mule for two-nights of rousing rock. The collaboration did not disappoint and as the second set continued on strong, the audience was treated to the fittingly named "Sco-Mule." It was two nights The Cap will never forget. [embed]https://vimeo.com/149651189[/embed]6. John Scofield releases the beautifully poignant new album, Past Present
On September 25, 2015, Sco released his new album Past Present, which is based on the relationship he had with his son. The album has recently been nominated for two Grammy Awards in the Jazz categories of Improvised Jazz Solo and Jazz Instrumental Album. Listen to the title track from Past Present: [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8SPeKKnkEA[/embed]