Jazz Articles about Scott Sawyer

Scott Sawyer: Change of Scene

by Doug Collette
November 23, 2022

Notwithstanding a history including associations with the varied likes of famed jazz fretboardists John Abercrombie, and Chris Stamey of the veteran power popsters the dBs, guitarist Scott Sawyer may have the lowest public profile of the three musicians appearing on Change of Scene. Still, it certainly says something about his reputation, not to mention his chops, that he can attract the likes of bassist Oteil Burbridge (Col. Bruce Hampton's Aquarium Rescue Unit, the Allman Brothers Band), Dead & Co.) and ...

Scott Sawyer: Night Visions

by Troy Dostert
January 18, 2021

As a North Carolinian, guitarist Scott Sawyer may not enjoy the visibility of his counterparts in better-known jazz meccas, but fans of contemporary jazz guitar shouldn't pass him up. With some smart songwriting instincts and a knack for finding talented bandmates, not to mention possessing terrific guitar chops, Sawyer delivers on the promise of a career dating back to the 1980s that has involved sideman work with everyone from Nnenna Freelon to alt-rocker Chris Stamey. But Sawyer's had several releases ...

Scott Sawyer: Dreamers

by Dan Bilawsky
February 25, 2014

Creative musicians are dreamers by their very nature, but not the garden variety type; plain old dreamers simply imagine possibilities while musical dreamers imagine and realize them. They follow thoughts, concepts and ideas from inception through completion, ushering in life with their hands, hearts and minds. They sow the seeds of harmony, melody, rhythm, nuance and life to create something that's, hopefully, worth hearing and holding. Creative musicians, in essence, work the seam between anything-is-possible openness and structural specificity, marrying ...

Scott Sawyer: Dreamers

by Jeffrey Uhrich
February 4, 2014

With a warm and inviting sound, guitarist Scott Sawyer offers an intriguing and engaging collection of songs in Dreamers, his latest release on Doll Records. Sawyer's style of playing is complex yet tastefully restrained and nuanced, reminiscent of guitar legends Jim Hall and Wes Montgomery. By doing so, he allows the song itself to shine as an artistic work, rather than using the song merely as a vehicle to display his prowess on the guitar. On Dreamers, Sawyer ...

Scott Sawyer: Go There

by John Barron
January 1, 2008

Guitarist Scott Sawyer is the kind of musician who displays his musical diversity like a badge of honor. The North Carolinian, who is probably best known for his work with vocalist Nnenna Freelon, showcases his electrified playing and composing on Go There, a dynamic release featuring drummer Kenny Soule, bassists Oteil Burbridge and Ron Brendle, organist/flutist Kofi Burbridge--Oteil's older brother--and percussionist Chris Garges.

The disc opens with a funked-out arrangement of George Harrison's “Taxman, a raucous introduction to Sawyer's tastefully ...