John Scofield Combo 73

66 when he formed this multi-generational band and led its 2018 self-titled Verve album Combo 66, John Scofield is reaching the age when many of his contemporaries start thinking about retirement. Such an idea is the furthest thing from Scofield’s mind.

The guitarist is following in the footsteps of Jack DeJohnette, his bandmate in the all-star quartet Hudson, who continues to blaze new musical trails with musicians half his age.  Rather than slowing down, Scofield goes from strength to strength, winning consecutive Best Jazz Album GRAMMY Awards for 2015’s Past Present and 2016’s Country For Old Men (both on Impulse!). One of the post-fusion era’s definitive guitarists, Scofield went from recording with jazz giants such as Miles, Mingus and Chet Baker to joining the pantheon himself. 

Consisting of a team of established bandleaders whose ages span four decades, the band, now rebranded Combo 73 to reflect the leader’s current age, once again relies on Bill Stewart, a brilliant, melodically inventive drummer whose relationship with Scofield spans his influential early ‘90s Blue Note albums through his two recent GRAMMY winners. Vicente Archer, one of New York’s busiest bassists, is best known for anchoring the acclaimed trios of Robert Glasper and Nicholas Payton. And pianist Gerald Clayton is simply a monster, possessing virtuosic technique, a gorgeous touch, and boundless imagination.