Across more than three decades, a half-dozen albums, and hundreds of gigs, the partnership of John Scofield and Joe Lovano has defined contemporary jazz.

John Scofield is considered one of the most important guitarists and composers in jazz. Possessor of a distinctive sound and stylistic diversity, Scofield is a masterful improviser whose music falls somewhere between post-bop, funk-edged jazz and R&B. He has prominently led his own groups in the international jazz and contemporary scenes, recorded more than 40 albums as a leader, and collaborated with current favorites and jazz legends, including Miles Davis, Pat Metheny, Charlie Haden, Herbie Hancock, Medeski, Martin & Wood, Bill Frisell, Brad Mehldau, Dave Holland and Phil Lesh, to name a few.

Cleveland native Joe Lovano stands out as one of the most successful saxophonists in jazz today. He has distinguished himself for some three decades as a prescient and pathfinding force in the arena of creative music. Lovano has earned praise, not just for his tone and improvisational abilities but also for his forward-thinking presentation of new musical ideas and ensemble concepts. From his work with Gunther Schuller on Streams of Expression to his work as Gary Burton Chair of Jazz Performance at Berklee College of Music, he continually challenges and pushes conceptual and thematic choices in his quest for new modes of expression and definitions of the jazz idiom. He has released 23 celebrated albums on the Blue Note label, including the 2008 Grammy-nominated Symphonica.