Matt Schofield
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Matt Schofield (born 21 August 1977) is a UK blues guitarist and singer whose music blends blues with rock and funky jazz rhythms. His band, The Matt Schofield Trio, play their own material, which is a blend of blues, funk and jazz, along with covers of blues classics such as Albert Collins' "Lights Are On, But Nobody's Home".
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[edit] Influences
Schofield's guitar playing is often likened to Robben Ford in reference to his melodic and fluid style, and jazzy lines. However, Schofield was also majorly influenced by B. B. King, Freddie King, Albert King, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, Albert Collins, Jimi Hendrix, Billy Gibbons, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimmie Vaughan. The influence of funk bands such as The Meters and Soulive can also be heard in his music.
[edit] Career
[edit] Recordings
Schofield has two studio albums and two [l[live album]]s. The first of the live discs, The Trio, Live was recorded at the Bishops Blues club at The Half Moon, Bishops Stortford in 2004 and, funded and released by Richard Pavitt on his Nugene record label, gave the band their first breakthrough. The first studio album, Siftin' Thru Ashes was released in 2005. This album showcases not only Schofield as a virtuoso contemporary blues player, but also as a very competent songwriter, writing or co-writing eight out of eleven of the tracks on this album. AllMusic.com calls Schofield's approach "an enjoyable demonstration of what can happen when blues-rock and blues-jazz are united". The second live album, Live At The Jazz Cafe! was recorded at the London Jazz Cafe in April 2005, and was made available as a web only release. Schofield is one of only two living British artists to be given a four star (excellent) rating in the Penguin Book of Blues Recordings. The release of The Trio, Live prompted Schofield to be featured in a Guitarist magazine article listing the nine notable up and coming blues guitarists, Schofield being the only non-American. Of the album they said 'britblues meets jazz via N'Orleans - all played with the kind of sizzling guitar that just doesn't often surface in Fairford, Gloucestershire'. In 2007 Guitar & Bass Magazine picked Schofield as one of the "Top 10 British Blues Guitarists of All Time".
[edit] Band
Schofield performs with an organ trio (guitar, organ, and drums), which is an unusual format for blues bands. Organ trios are mostly associated with the 1950s and 1960s U.S. jazz groups led by organists such as Jimmy Smith. Blues bands more commonly use trios of guitar, bass and drums, quartets (guitar, keyboards, bass, and drums) or quintets (guitar, rhythm guitar, keyboards, bass, and drums). In Schofield's organ trio, organist Jonny Henderson plays a Hammond organ, performing basslines using his left hand, and playing chords and lead lines with his right hand. The trio's drummer is Evan Jenkins. Jeff Walker played bass on the final track of Siftin' Thru' Ashes.
[edit] Discography
- 2004: The Trio, Live (NUG601)
Track list:
Uncle Junior Everyday I Have The Blues Bloody Murder Treat Me Lowdown Cissy Strut Travellin' South Sittin' On Top Of The World Hippology
- 2005: Live at the Jazz Café (NUG503)
Track list:
All You Need Uncle Junior Lights Are On, But Nobody's Home Travellin' South Cissy Strut On My Way It's Your Thing
- 2005: Siftin' Thru' Ashes (NUG501)
Track list:
All You Need Siftin' Thru Ashes Djam Lights Are On, But Nobody's Home The Letter Back At Square One People Say How I Try On My Way Middle Ground Hard Lines
- 2007: Ear To The Ground
Track list:
Pack it Up Troublemaker Ear to the Ground Heart Don't Need a Compass Once in a While Room at the Back Someone Searchin' Move Along Cookie Jar When it all Comes Down
- Other albums featuring Matt Schofield
- Swagger - Ian Siegal - produced by Schofield
- Meat And Potatoes - Ian Siegal - co-produced by Schofield
- My Day Is Just Beginning - The Lee Sankey Group
- She's Not Alone - The Lee Sankey Group
- Two Timing Lover Boy - Dino Baptiste
- A Different Picture - Earl Green
- Driving Savage Groove - Harmonica Posse
- Staying Power - Dana Gillespie
- Experienced - Dana Gillespie
- Songs Of Love - Dana Gillespie
- Back To Blues - Dana Gillespie
