John Scofield arguably is one of the big three of modern jazz guitarists (the other two being Pat Metheny and Bill Frisell).
He started playing guitar at high school and studied at Berklee from 1970 to 1973. Soon after he began playing and recording with leading jazz figures such as Chet Baker, Gerry Mulligan and Charles Mingus.
From 1982 to 1985 John Scofield toured and recorded with Miles Davis. He appears on ‘Star People’, ‘Decoy’,’You’re Under Arrest’ and other albums.
In 1977 he started making records as a leader. The first album being ‘East Meets West’ was more funk orientated than his later albums.
Scofield has a very personal and recognizable guitar sound. It is a rock-blues orientated sound and is often a bit distorted.
Recommended listening : ‘Hand Jive’