Biography
The John Scofield Trio plus Horns - as represented in This Meets That Scofield's September 2007 release for Universal Music - heads out on tour. Well established in the last two decades, the sound of the trio with Scofield's guitar, Steve Swallow on bass and Bill Stewart on drums, is intricate, personal and complex. The music, compositions written mainly by Scofield, is formed with the essences of jazz, jazz rock and even occasionally folk and country flavors. They currently feature a repertoire of Scofield originals and jazz standards, punctuated by surprise interpretations of Country Western and Rock classics. By augmenting the more linear trio style with a three-piece horn section, the music is arranged to create a wider scope, adding an orchestral timbre to Scofield's style. Larry Grenadier will fill the bass slot in October and Steve Swallow returns to the band in November. Scofield coaxed some of the best session players out on tour. Between the guest players, Phil Grenadier (brother of bassist Larry Grenadier) on trumpet and flugelhorn, Eddie Salkin on tenor sax, flute, alto flute and Frank Vacin playing baritone sax and bass clarinet, the horns offer a broad palette for the music's arrangements. Their parts, written and arranged by Scofield, add depth and texture to the material while remaining true to the expected character of the Scofield Trio's artistic expression. Scofield explains, "it's rewarding to have a bigger sound on many of these tunes while we retain the intimate trio format between Bill, Steve and myself. When I write a tune, I always hear it in my head with more orchestral parts. This is a form of my music that rarely materializes for public consumption. The sextet grouping allows me to explore a compositional expansion without sacrificing the interplay and intimacy of the Trio. "
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