John Scofield embraces Ray Charles tribute album
For a guitarist oriented toward rock and blues who grew up in the late '60s, familiarity with the music of Ray Charles was a given.
John Scofield, who has forged a unique style combining adherence to blues roots with a more abstract manner embracing modal and free-form jazz, was no exception as a teenager.
“I was no newcomer to this music," Scofield said in describing the approach to his current CD, “That's What I Say," a tribute album notable for cameo appearances by Mavis Staples, Dr. John, Aaron Neville, Warren Haynes, John Mayer and David “Fathead" Newman. “But for this project, I decided to listen to every tune he'd ever done," Scofield recalled by telephone from his home just north of New York City. “And he made a zillion records. And I ended up respecting him even more."
It was shortly after Charles died at age 73 last June that Verve president Ron Goldstein approached Scofield to suggest a tribute album. Was it unusual for a label boss to pitch an idea to the 53-year-old veteran?
Continue...
John Scofield, who has forged a unique style combining adherence to blues roots with a more abstract manner embracing modal and free-form jazz, was no exception as a teenager.
“I was no newcomer to this music," Scofield said in describing the approach to his current CD, “That's What I Say," a tribute album notable for cameo appearances by Mavis Staples, Dr. John, Aaron Neville, Warren Haynes, John Mayer and David “Fathead" Newman. “But for this project, I decided to listen to every tune he'd ever done," Scofield recalled by telephone from his home just north of New York City. “And he made a zillion records. And I ended up respecting him even more."
It was shortly after Charles died at age 73 last June that Verve president Ron Goldstein approached Scofield to suggest a tribute album. Was it unusual for a label boss to pitch an idea to the 53-year-old veteran?
Continue...
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