John Scofield

Jazz guitarist John Scofield - born in Dayton, Ohio, on December 26, 1951 – is a musician’s musician. With a CV that contains references to collaborations with artists such as Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Billy Cobham, George Duke and Jaco Pastorius you know you are looking at an artist with impeccable musical credentials. John Scofield - known simply as Sco to his friends - is undeniably from the top drawer of jazz musicians and can boast a truly astonishing list of recording credits to his name. After leaving the Berklee College Of Music in 1974 to record with Chet Baker, John Scofield subsequently joined the Billy Cobham and George Duke Band and spent two years on the road. It was the start of a career spanning four decades during which he performed on over 150 album releases. As a leader or co-leader, he has released nearly 50 albums (including live releases and compilations). Outside of his work as a sideman, John Scofield is best known for his work in a trio he formed with bassist Steve Swallow and drummer Adam Nussbaum. The trio's most acclaimed work was Bar Talk, released in 1980. The followed that release with the albums Shinola and Out Like a Light, both released in 1981. Nominated for seven Grammy Awards throughout his career, he has won three: Best Jazz Instrumental Album (in 2016 and 2017) and Best Improvised Jazz Solo (2017). While currently serving as a faculty member in the Jazz Department at New York University's Steinhardt School of Education, he has remained an active jazz musician, releasing acclaimed albums such as Past Present (2015), Country for Old Men (2016), Hudson (2017), Combo 66 (2018), Swallow Tales (2020), and John Scofield (2022). In 2025, John Scofield and Dave Holland pay an intimate tribute to Ray Brown in Memories of Home.