By R.J. DeLuke
To call saxophonist Joe Lovano and guitarist John Scofield world-class musicians is like saying the Pope is fairly well-established in the religion business. The two are giants in jazz, among the best on their respective instruments. Both have a constant creative drive and an artistic spirit that pushes them to explore different musical situations, musical challenges.
When they decide to collaborate, it's exciting. The two are doing just that early this year as the John Scofield & Joe Lovano Quartet embarks on a tour that makes a stop Sunday at The Egg in Albany. They've known each other—playing together in different bands—over the course of many years. They decided to form this group a few years ago, joined by drummer Matt Wilson.
The quartet plays original music, as well as tunes from other jazz greats like Thelonious Monk. “We're focusing on some new tunes we've put together for the group and then some of our tunes we've played before," said Lovano. “We have a ball together. We've known each other since the early '70s. It's fun when we come together. And all of a sudden, it's new music."
These musicians are always on the go, involved in numerous projects with some of the best musicians in the world each year. Scofield is touring with his own trio this year, and Lovano leads the acclaimed Us Five quintet, whose latest album, “Bird Songs," came out earlier this month on Blue Note records. It's his 22nd recording with the label, unheard of these days as traditional record labels are in decline.
Scofield has played with a litany of jazz icons and in the 1980s was part of the Miles Davis band. He plays modern jazz, blues and groove music with jam bands. He's one of the influential guitarists of his generation. And he's wowed by Lovano, who is regarded in many circles as one of the brightest artists anywhere, and the next great influence on sax since the Sonny/Rollins/John Coltrane era and more recently Michael Brecker.
To call saxophonist Joe Lovano and guitarist John Scofield world-class musicians is like saying the Pope is fairly well-established in the religion business. The two are giants in jazz, among the best on their respective instruments. Both have a constant creative drive and an artistic spirit that pushes them to explore different musical situations, musical challenges.
When they decide to collaborate, it's exciting. The two are doing just that early this year as the John Scofield & Joe Lovano Quartet embarks on a tour that makes a stop Sunday at The Egg in Albany. They've known each other—playing together in different bands—over the course of many years. They decided to form this group a few years ago, joined by drummer Matt Wilson.
The quartet plays original music, as well as tunes from other jazz greats like Thelonious Monk. “We're focusing on some new tunes we've put together for the group and then some of our tunes we've played before," said Lovano. “We have a ball together. We've known each other since the early '70s. It's fun when we come together. And all of a sudden, it's new music."
These musicians are always on the go, involved in numerous projects with some of the best musicians in the world each year. Scofield is touring with his own trio this year, and Lovano leads the acclaimed Us Five quintet, whose latest album, “Bird Songs," came out earlier this month on Blue Note records. It's his 22nd recording with the label, unheard of these days as traditional record labels are in decline.
Scofield has played with a litany of jazz icons and in the 1980s was part of the Miles Davis band. He plays modern jazz, blues and groove music with jam bands. He's one of the influential guitarists of his generation. And he's wowed by Lovano, who is regarded in many circles as one of the brightest artists anywhere, and the next great influence on sax since the Sonny/Rollins/John Coltrane era and more recently Michael Brecker.
