John Scofield uberjam Band
Friday, Oct. 25, 2013
The Blockley- 38th & Chestnut Streets. Philadelphia
A decade after John Scofield last assembled his supremely funky Uberjam quartet, the legendary guitarist is getting back on the groove train. In the late 1990s, when every college town seemed to boast a bevy of jambands, Sco showed the kids that when it comes to funk, less is often more. A master improviser with a trademark distortion-tinged tone, he’s thrived in post-bop, funk, and fusion settings with his knack for a finely calibrated off-kilter lines. Scofield persuasively demonstrated that an established jazz artist who cut his teeth with the likes of Mingus, Miles, and Gary Burton did not need any new tricks when he teamed up with Medeski Martin and Wood on 1998’s sinewy groove-a-thon A Go Go (Verve). On 2002’s Uberjam, he put his own spin on acid jazz with a dance-inducing quartet that featured Lettuce drummer Adam Deitch, Brazilian Girls bassist Jesse Murphy, and rhythm guitar ace and samplist Avi Bortnick. Later, Andy Hess took over the bass chair for the quartet’s next album, 2003’s Up All Night (Verve). Soon Scofield moved in several new musical directions. However with a new album Uberjam Deux (EmArcy/Universal), he’s rounded up another quartet for an irresistible groove-powered joyride, including Uberjam co-conspirators Avi Bortnick and Andy Hess.
Scofield and Co. will be delivering material fresh and classic at their Friday, October 25thengagement at The Blockley in West Philadelphia. This looks like a can’t-miss performance at the premier live music venue in Philly.
Recent Comments