John Scofield Performs 'Quiet And Loud Jazz'

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by NATE CHINEN

"When we started to play, I did kind of get chills from the songs ." - John Scofield

Almost exactly 30 years ago, guitarist John Scofield recorded an album he evocatively titled Loud Jazz. Not quite a decade later, he made one called Quiet. Both albums were statements of intent, widely embraced and justly acclaimed. And despite the obvious differences between the two, both were genuine expressions of Scofield's musical personality, which has always been more flexible than those extreme dynamic markings would seem to suggest.

Jazz Night In America caught up with Scofield this past spring, just before he played a concert called "Quiet And Loud Jazz" in Jazz at Lincoln Center's Appel Room. The idea was to both acknowledge and bridge the distance between the two disparate albums, which might have been more difficult were it not for Scofield's sly consistency. "It's not like other famous jazz musicians, where their style changes, you know, decade to decade," says Jim Beard, the veteran keyboardist on hand for the Loud Jazz half of the concert. "He sounds very similar to what he sounded like, you know, 30 years ago. I don't think he sounds that different. And it's just such a strong personal style that that's amazing."

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SET LIST
2:54 - "Door #3"
9:00 - "Hold That Thought"
15:40 - "Tulle"
20:51 - "Rolf and the Gang"

31:25 - "Dance Me Home"
39:00 - "Loud Jazz"
47:18 - "So You Say"
52:48 - "Trim"

MUSICIANS
John Scofield (electric guitar)
Joe Lovano (tenor saxophone and flute)
Charles Pillow (flute and horn)
Michael Rodriguez (trumpet and flugelhorn)
Roger Rosenberg (baritone saxophone and bass clarinet)
Jeffrey Scott (french horn)
John Clarke (french horn)
Larry Grenadier (bass)
Bill Stewart (drums)

Jim Beard (keyboard)
Gary Granger (bass)
Dennis Chambers (drums)

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FOLLOW US!

[lanszoominternet]

Love the guy with the brown shirt, red tie and brown beret sitting right behind Sco. Sits like a Buddha and the you never know what instrument he will pull out. Flute, sax, clarinet.what an awesome musician!

[sasha_prisyazhnyy]

I missed having new performances from the group of John Scofield, Dennis Chambers, Jim Beard and Gary Granger so bad. It is a blessing seeing them live again!

[richstewart]

I remember seeing him play at the Blackstone theater in Chicago in 1991. I was so close I could reach out and grab his arm. I had no idea how lucky I was to see him and other greats close up for years. I remember talking to Horace Silver after his set at the same place. Also saw Joe Pass at the same place multiple times and sat a few feet away from him. John was an amazing player back then. I could only imagine seeing him up close now.

[lonesurvivor]

Respect and Love from Darjeeling, India 🙏

[tadhgokeeffe]

Just... wonderful. 'Quiet' is such a great record and this sent me back to it, to bask in it again. 'Hand Jive' remains my favourite Sco album. Food for the soul. 275 people gave this a thumbs-down - I bet they think climate change is a hoax too

[phreddieboy]

I was Sco's driver for the Wreckhouse Jazz Festival in St. John's Newfoundland Canada July 11th, 2013. I told him that I loved Loud Jazz and he told me that same story about how his daughter had named Loud Jazz after he and others were drawing a bit of a blank on what to name it! Very cool and gracious man and band, and what a show. Backstage pass from being a volunteer... ;)

[webstercat]

Bill Stewart makes it work, swings like crazy just enough salt to bring out the taste! Such an Excellent drummer!

[c.h.gamble]

Mahavishnu Orchestra was my all time favorite fusion years later Sco, Dennis, Gary & Jim came along just to remind me that....that kind of spirit is Eternal. Well played fellas.

[AlexPriceMusician]

Incredible band and music, yeah but gosh the sound - the mix is incredible. This might be the best live-jazz recording I've ever heard.

[blies]

Such mastery of phrasing and making Jazz sound funky and bluesy.

[KarlGeorges]

Scofield's the reason I don't mind getting old and bald.

[CharlieMorenoMusic]

Gary Grainger is one of my all time favorite bass players. He had a huge impact on my playing as a kid. And he's still killing it!!! What a beast. And the tunes are great, and the band is one of the tightest groups of people making music together I ever heard. I love Sco!

[cleverclover]

An absolute master at phrasing and telling a story with creative melody and zero noise.

[amsedelm]

I took a guitar lesson from Jon back in '80 (?) in the village in NYC. We ended up just trading solos. He was so much fun., really listened and reacted to your playing. I almost forgot to pay him when the lesson was over. lol I loved his playing on the Billy Cobham solo albums and ESPECIALLY the Cobham/Duke Project live album. That one is one of my all time fav albums hands down.

[mangolassi_.]

Sweet, Sco playing his 80s stuff again! This literally comes out of nowhere for me, I never thought we would see this happen.

[jonathanstewart]

Bill Stewart and Larry Grenadier are such a classy, swinging rhythm section. Gives the band a bit of a Miles/Gil vibe, especially with the unusual instrumentation. And Sco's touch and delivery is so developed and original. Beautiful.

[νικοςνικολαου-τφ]

Unfortunately, I wasn't among the lucky audience so, thanx to you and U-Tube for giving me the privilege to watch and listen!

[christopherkenniff]

love Quiet, the album. Compositions are beautiful, choice of instrumentation so colorful, players all great, and Sco is such a distinctive artist and guitar player. This whole show is just such a pleasure.. Love, love, love it. I do miss the nylon string sound/color every now and then ( e.g., on Tulle ). Thanks, Sco and band, great show!!!

[Damonm]

Dennis has mellowed out over the years, but still has that unmistakable feel. One of my favorites.

[JordanHigginsGuitar]

Would love to see John Scofield doing this with his A Go Go album with MMW too. Iconic and essential Jazz/Funk album.