He recorded with Charles Mingus in 1976, and replaced Pat Metheny in Gary Burton's quartet. In autumn 1976 he signed a contract with Enja Records, and he released his first album East Meets West in 1977. In 1979 he formed a trio with Steve Swallow and Adam Nussbaum. He later joined Miles Davis, with whom he remained until 1985.
While still with Davis, he released Electric Outlet (1984). Still Warm (1985) followed after he left Davis's group.
At the beginning of the 1990s, he formed a quartet with Joe Lovano with whom he recorded several important albums for Blue Note Records. Time on My Hands (1990), with Lovano, Charlie Haden and Jack DeJohnette, showcased Scofield's guitar and Mingus-influenced writing. Bill Stewart subsequently became the group's drummer, and played on Meant to Be (1991) and What We Do (1993). In 1992, Scofield released Grace Under Pressure, featuring fellow guitarist Bill Frisell, with Charlie Haden on bass and Joey Baron on drums. Stewart was back in the drum chair for the 1994 collaboration with Pat Metheny, I Can See Your House from Here. Also, in 1997 he recorded "A Go Go" LP, supported by the fame of Medeski, Martin and Wood, truly a masterpiece with range of lounge music and finest funk feel behind the beat.
Towards the end of his tenure with Blue Note, Scofield returned to a more funk- and soul jazz-oriented sound, a direction which has dominated much of his subsequent output. At this time, he also started performing with various jambands, and even performed with DJ Logic to cover Phish's "Cars Trucks Buses", on Sharin' in the Groove (2001).
He released Überjam in 2002 and Up All Night in 2004, two albums on which he experiments with drum n bass and other modern rhythms. Late 2004 saw the release of En Route, which features the jazz trio of John Scofield, Steve Swallow on bass and Bill Stewart on drums. It was recorded live at The Blue Note, NYC in December 2003.
More recently Scofield has been jamming with the likes of Medeski, Martin and Wood, and has even gone so far as to record an album with them, this time with equal billing, as Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood.
On September 26, 2006 he released Out Louder, his second collaborative effort album with avant garde jazz trio Medeski Martin & Wood.
On September 18, 2007 he released This Meets That, a record featuring his trio with Steve Swallow and Bill Stewart. This time John added a horn section to expand the sound of his trio. The touring unit for this record features the Sco Horns, a three piece horn section of Phil Grenadier on trumpet and flugelhorn, Tom Olin on tenor saxophone, flute and alto flute and Frank Vacin on baritone saxophone and bass clarinet.
Presently, Scofield is a part of the NYU/Steindhart Jazz program in New York City, as a faculty member.
The Angel of Death
John Scofield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can you smile and say that you have been true?
Can you truthfully say with your dying breath
That you're ready to meet the angel of death?
In the great book of John, you're warned of the day
When you'll be laid beneath the cold clay
The angel of death will come from the sky
When the lights all grow dim and the dark shadows creep
When your loved ones are gathered, gathered to weep
Can you face them and say with your dying breath
That you're ready to meet the angel of death?
The lyrics of John Scofield's "The Angel of Death" speak about facing one's mortality and being prepared for it. The song is written in the form of a warning, calling the listener's attention to the inevitability of death and the importance of living a life of integrity.
The first verse asks whether the listener can honestly say they have lived a virtuous life when faced with the prospect of the angel of death. The second verse references a warning in the Bible's book of John about the day when we will all be laid to rest. The third verse speaks to the moment when death comes: the "lights all grow dim" and loved ones gather to mourn, and the question is asked whether the listener can face them and say they are ready for what lies ahead.
Overall, "The Angel of Death" encourages self-reflection and encourages the listener to live a life that is honest and true so that they can face their end with courage and peace.
Line by Line Meaning
When the angel of death comes down after you
Are you prepared for the moment of death?
Can you smile and say that you have been true?
Are you proud of the way you've lived your life?
Can you truthfully say with your dying breath
Are you honest about your final moments?
That you're ready to meet the angel of death?
Are you prepared to face the consequences of your life?
In the great book of John, you're warned of the day
The Bible does warn about the inevitability of death
When you'll be laid beneath the cold clay
When you die, your body will be buried in the earth
The angel of death will come from the sky
Death is an inescapable part of life
And claim your first soul when the time comes to die
Death takes everyone eventually
When the lights all grow dim and the dark shadows creep
Death is a moment of darkness and uncertainty
When your loved ones are gathered, gathered to weep
Your loved ones will be sad when you die
Can you face them and say with your dying breath
Can you be honest with yourself and others when you die?
That you're ready to meet the angel of death?
Are you prepared to face death and its consequences?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HANK WILLIAMS SR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind