Guitarist John Scofield on his creative process

In an interview taped backstage at the Newport Jazz Festival, guitarist John Scofield talks about his creative process as far as composing.
This interview was taped backstage at the 2017 Newport Jazz Festival, where Scofield performed with the supergroup Hudson featuring Scofield with John Medeski, Larry Grenadier and Jack DeJohnette. For more information about Scofield, visit www.johnscofield.com
Interview by Irene Lee. Produced for JazzTimes by Lee Mergner. You can find more videos, plus news, features, reviews and lots more at www.jazztimes.com

[@joeenck9065]

I've seen a concert of John with Mark Anthony Turnage (Scorched) in Hambug around 2004/2005 or so and it was mindbending. It affected my whole system in such a way it brought tears of joy to my eyes. True story! I never cried on a concert in my whole life and then John hit three special notes in his solo and my eyes watered up. It never happened before to me and never again but John will be in my heart forever!

[@rillloudmother]

seems like such a real guy.

[@clusternest1704]

I've seen John with the modern-classical setup in Frankfurt. It was outstanding.

[@mariolante3428]

I love this guy! You made my day with your coffee story!

[@michaeldinunzio3002]

I love your comments. Especially on inspiration. If you wait for insperation it may not hapen but when you work on things and practice insperation happens. I like that thanks.

[@paul-singhgurth1599]

Same here. Stretches for my ripped up old body. Coffee and a smoke. Then...guitar. Warm ups, scalar, rhythm and comping, playing over difficult changes etc. Then later work on my own jazz and orchestral pieces on my laptop. Get in my wheelchair, go down to the water for some chilling and inspiration. Then back to it. Got over five years of lost time to make up for. No mire excuses! Time to move it!

[@michagonet3716]

❤

[@pb12661]

I do the same thing on a whole other level (yes, much lower). I drink my morning coffee and then grab my guitar. It's a habit for me too!

[@davidbaise5137]

Looks like Billy Goats Gruff right here! He sure can play!

[@6x21]

John Scofield and his drugs inspired music ))

[@pmarati]

Well that's fantastic. All that to hear him say his creative process is coffee... oh and an iPhone.

[@jamesjamerson1537]

Oh, this was just fantastic. Drug inspired music. Coffee. hahahah He might enjoy Bach's Coffee Cantata. Great stuff. The only 2 drugs I have left. Excedrin. Such a wonderfully creative musician. Didn't know he was also so funny.