Scofield Wrap-Up

It has been said that if blues is the more emotional, visceral genre, then jazz is the more methodical, intellectual style of music. But Scofield proved that statement to be blatantly false on Tuesday night. His facial expressions during his solos alone were worth the price of admission. Everyone in the room (if not in the entire West Village) knew that he was truly feeling what he was playing. After the show, Scofield imparted some valuable advice about what it takes to reach his level of musical virtuosity. “Practice and listen,” Scofield told the Spectator didactically. “Good things take time.”

- SIMEON COHEN; CU Columbia Spectator, NY - Oct. 19, 2007

John Scofield has something in common with his 1982-1985 boss -- trumpet icon Miles Davis. The powerhouse guitarist, composer and arranger knows how to find a concept, flesh it out, and land a top-drawer band to perform it.... "Heck of a Job" (the title refers to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and President Bush's affirmation of then-FEMA chief Michael Brown) boasted a New Orleans funk beat. Punched horns enlivened the theme and interjected during Scofield's solo. He fattened his sound with a wah-wah effect at points, and played choice ideas. Grenadier soloed impressively with rich notes, and Stewart went from tom-tom whaps to sock cymbal sizzles. At the close, the piece slowed dramatically, and Scofield played emotive, crying notes surrounded by horns.

- ZAN STEWART; Star Ledger, NJ - Oct. 17, 2007