Featuring:
John Scofield – guitarist/composer
Joe Lovano – saxophonist/composer
Ben Street – bass
Bill Stewart – drums
Jazz is about change. Nothing stays constant for long. Even so, it was a shock when, in 1993, guitarist John Scofield disbanded his popular quartet with saxophonist Joe Lovano, bassist Dennis Irwin and drummer Bill Stewart. Anyone who heard that band knew that Sco and Joe had a special connection, and the Blue Note albums they made together in the early ‘90s are some of best of that era. Both musicians are in high demand, as leaders and collaborators, so it has taken them more than 20 years for the pair to reunite—with bassist Larry Grenadier replacing the late Irwin—for a new album, Past Present, filled with new Scofield compositions. Heavily affected by the fatal illness of his son, the new set of compositions reflect the guitarist’s love of American roots music and provide rich opportunities for Lovano’s hearty tenor playing and harmonic depth.