Jazz Guitarist John Scofield Visits Webster

Jazz guitarist John Scofield presented to a packed crowd at Webster's Community Music School.

Masterful jazz improviser and guitarist John Scofield visited Webster University Nov. 3 and spoke to a large crowd of Webster jazz students at the Community Music School.

Scofield’s guitar work has influenced jazz since the late’70s. He is a masterful jazz improviser whose music generally falls somewhere between post-bop, funk edged jazz, and R & B.

Scofield at Webster

Born in Ohio and raised in suburban Connecticut, Scofield took up the guitar at age 11, inspired by both rock and blues players. He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston.

After a debut recording with Gerry Mulligan and Chet Baker, Scofield was a member of the Billy Cobham-George Duke band for two years. He also recorded with Charles Mingus and joined the Gary Burton quartet.

From 1982-1985, Scofield toured and recorded with Miles Davis, placing him firmly in the foreground of jazz consciousness as a player and composer.

Since that time he has led his own groups in the international jazz scene, recorded more than 30 albums as a leader, including collaborations with contemporary favorites Pat Metheny, Charlie Haden, Eddie Harris, Medeski, Martin & Wood, Bill Frisell, Brad Mehldau, Mavis Staples, Government Mule, Jack DeJohnette, Joe Lovano and Phil Lesh.

On tour approximately 200 days per year with his own groups, he is an adjunct professor of music at New York University.