by Doc Dosco
This week we feature jazz guitarist Scott Sherwood. Scott has a very smooth, expressive and musical style of playing. He finds the 'good notes' to play. I really enjoyed listening to the sound clips from his website as there were full songs for a change. Actually his complete CDs are presented in Real Audio format. Very nice.
John Abercrombie says of Scott Sherwood “…plays with a natural, loose, yet focused concept that allows the music to really breathe”. Well put. Scott certainly shows influences of Ambercrombie with some Pat Metheny, and a dash of Jim Hall thrown in. Very nice, indeed.
Online Bio
Scott Sherwood, born in Milwaukee, WI, was introduced to jazz through his father's record collection. He began playing guitar at the age of 15 in San Antonio, TX and quickly captured attention for his performances. While in high school, Scott received the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award for three consecutive years and was voted IAJE Overall Outstanding Musician at the University of Texas at Arlington Jazz Festival, Kingsville Jazz Festival and Fiesta Stage Band Festival. He went on to attend the University of Texas at Arlington under Michael Lorimer Guitar and Jazz Studies Scholarships. Scott began his professional career back in Milwaukee with the band Kinetic Shower, which was nominated by the Wisconsin Music Industry (WAMI) for jazz artists of the year.
In 1990, he decided to further his education at the University of Texas at Austin where he earned a Downbeat Award for Outstanding Performance at the college level. Since that time, he has performed concerts and clinics throughout the United States, Costa Rica and Scotland. Scott moved to the East Coast in 1998 and is currently involved in a number of projects including his main group, The Scott Sherwood Trio, featuring drummer Paul Hannah and bassist Mike Nunno and a jazz guitar duo featuring fellow guitarist Steve Giordano.
Scott's compositions have garnered praise from fans, critics and peers alike. He has performed them at jazz festivals throughout the nation including SummerFest (Milwaukee, WI), South by Southwest (Austin, TX) and the PFS Mellon Jazz Festival (Philadelphia, PA.). James Chute of the Milwaukee Journal called Scott's work, “an imaginative fusion of elements drawing from different traditions.”
Scott has released two guitar trio recordings of his original compositions on the New York based label Changing Tones. The first
project titled “Siren Song” received rave reviews for its sensitivity, musicality and emotional depth. The second trio project “Peaks and Valleys” showcases Scott's new trio with Mike Nunno and Paul Hannah. As an ensemble, the trio is notable for their strong improvisational abilities and musical interaction.
Scott's website:
Doc Dosco is a jazz guitarist, composer and audio consultant living in Los Angeles, CA. His website is located at http://www.docdosco.com, where you can find more information on the 'What's Hot with Jazz Guitar' columns, audio clips of Doc's playing, and many additional features. Doc now endorses Peerless Guitars and has the website Jazz Guitar Zone to help promote Peerless jazz guitars in the US. He also endorses the new Pignose Valve Tube Amps — great for jazz (and anything else!)
I now have received Scott Sherwood’s latest CD (with Bob Rodriguez) “Ripples”. I ordered it by listening to the sound clips. However, after listening to the entire album, I realized the sound clips did Not do justice to this incredibly talented duo!
This CD is Beautiful Beyond Words! I recommend it highly for anyone who is truly into fine music!!
This is an incredible album and what a journey this takes us on!! I love the compositions and all the emotions it evokes in one’s listening to it. My favorite selection is “Why Ask Why” written by Scott ~ that one truly moves me. What a beautiful tune, played immpeccably with tremendous emotional depth.
Absolutely beautiful CD ~ Thanks to Scott & Bob! I look forward to hearing more from the two of you.
We just received our copy of “Ripples” and it is simply beautiful! This album awakens one’s deepest emotions, as do the liner notes. It is a winner in our book.
Prior to receiving our CD, we checked out Scott’s updated website(which is nicely done)where he has several of his tunes in their entirety when clicking on launch jukebox. We found this to be far superior compared to the short sound clips posted elsewhere where we could not get a true feel for the music.
We are so happy to find Scott Sherwood back on the scene. Upon reading the other comments posted, my wife and I went to Art of Life Records to catch up with what Scott has been up to. We also purchased his first two CD’s and continue to enjoy them. This duo album promises to be as wonderful as his first two trio releases! We are eagerly awaiting our copy.
I have just heard the sound clips of Scott Sherwood’s “Ripples”, and I ordered the CD immediately. The music is beautiful, and I can hardly wait to receive my CD!
Scott’s first two CD’s were phenomenal. He’s a fantastic composer and he has an amazing touch as a guitarist – subtle, fluid and sensitive – I love listening to him play. I’m really excited to see that a third album is due to be released soon. I’ll be be keeping an eye on the Art of Life Records web site for Ripples. I can hardly wait!
Scott’s compositions are thoughtful, lyrical and sometimes more complex than they appear at first listening. His solos are similarly musical. Perhaps most significant is the interaction of the players on his recordings. I, too, am looking forward to his next record.
Looking forward to the new release from Scott Sherwood and Bob Rodriguez. I purchased Scott’s previous two CDs and find I never tire of listening to them. I personally feel Scott’s compositions tell a story, and I love a good story.
Thanks so much for the nice mention. I have a new record coming out on Art of Life Records entitled Ripples http://www.artofliferecords.com. It should be out late summer. It’s a duo record with Bob Rodriguez of original compositions. Hope you’ll check it out! Thanks again for the article.
Music Always,
Scott Sherwood