New Release — Uncle John’s Band
The John Scofield Trio (John, Vicente Archer, and Bill Stewart) released their album, Uncle John’s Band, on Friday, October 13, 2023.
Named for the Grateful Dead song that concludes this inspired double album, Uncle John’s Band features guitarist John Scofield at his most freewheeling. Wide-ranging repertoire finds his trio with Vicente Archer and Bill Stewart tackling material from Bob Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man” to Neil Young’s “Old Man”, from Leonard Bernstein’s “Somewhere” to the Miles Davis Birth of the Cool classic “Budo.” Jazz standards, including “Stairway to the Stars” and “Ray’s Idea,” rub shoulders with seven Scofield originals that are variously swing, funk, and folk-inflected.
Uncle John’s Band was recorded at Clubhouse Studio in Rhinebeck, New York, in August 2022.
Inside Scofield
A film by Joerg Steineck
RELEASE: DECEMBER 2, 2022
A subjective view upon the past, present and future of modern jazz.
INSIDE SCOFIELD is the in-depth portrayal of the life of the acclaimed jazz musician John Scofield.
Entirely narrated by himself, Scofield takes us on an inspiring trip into the mind and soul of one of today’s greats of contemporary jazz.
Shaped and inspired by his work, the film is simultaneously a celebration of his creative impact as of true friendship, free communication, the devotion to maintain a career in music and the courage towards human imperfection, an essential element in jazz.
Inside Scofield also features cameos by: Pat Metheny, Bill Frisell, Mike Stern, Steve Swallow, Joe Lovano, Phil Lesh, Jon Cleary, Bill Stewart, Bill Evans, Dennis Chambers, Gerald Clayton, Vicente Archer and Pat Murray.
To watch the film, visit: www.scofilm.com
John Scofield’s album, Swallow Tales, was released on June 12, 2020.
John celebrates the music of his friend and mentor Steve Swallow in an outgoing and spirited recording, made in a day in New York in March 2019 — “old school” style as Scofield says, while acknowledging that more than forty years of preparation led up to it. John was a 20-year-old student at Berklee when he first met and played with the bassist, and they have continued ever since. “I love these songs”, says Scofield of the selection of Swallow compositions explored here — a broad range including classics such as “Hullo Bolinas”, “Eiderdown”, “Falling Grace” and “Radio”, as well as lesser-known works. The rapport between Scofield and Swallow is evident in every moment. John: “Sometimes when we play it’s like one big guitar, the bass part and my part together.” Behind the drum kit, Bill Stewart, a close associate of Scofield’s since the early 90s, is alert to all the implications of the interaction. “What Bill does is more than ‘playing the drums,’” Scofield says. “He’s a melodic voice in the music, while also swinging really hard.”
Hudson, a collaboration between Jack DeJohnette, Larry Grenadier, John Medeski, and John Scofield, was released on June 9, 2017.
Everyone in the group lives in and around the historic Hudson Valley, north of New York City. Inspired by the beauty and environmental fragility of the region, their album offers Scofield and DeJohnette originals, alongside inspired readings of Dylan, Hendrix, The Band, and Joni Mitchell. Jazz, rock, soul, and other influences commingle. The soloing is deep, but it’s their confluence of piano/organ, gritty electric guitar, and acoustic rhythm section that makes Hudson unique.
The album is available for purchase everywhere.
John Scofield’s album Country for Old Men was released September 23, 2016!
Country For Old Men is Scofield’s homage to such greats as George Jones, Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard, James Taylor, and Hank Williams among others. This album has Scofield playing alongside accomplished colleagues Steve Swallow, Larry Goldings and Bill Stewart, and was produced by Scofield himself. The album is available for order on iTunes and Amazon.
Here’s a short film (by Abbott Ziegler Films) from a recent session for my next record Country For Old Men. It’s the tune Bartender’s Blues (written by James Taylor!) that I first heard done by George Jones. Featured here the fantastic Steve Swallow, Larry Goldings and Bill Stewart. We’re at the Carriage House in Stamford with engineer Jay Newland and A&R man Brian Bacchus. Record out in the Fall. Touring in the Fall.
Ready to make some summer plans? Hope you’ll join us at the Newport Jazz Festival. The festival runs July 29 through July 31.
Happy to be hitting some markets in December playing duo with the great Jon Cleary. We had a great tour in Europe last April and hope you’ll join us here in the States for this limited run.
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