John Scofield's latest album, Past Present, reunites an old quartet for set of tunes steeped in reflection and loss. Philippe Levy/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Joe Lovano. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Saxophonists Joshua Redman (center) and Joe Lovano (left) lead a performance at the SFJAZZ Center grand opening. Scott Chernis/Courtesy of SFJAZZ hide caption

Joe Lovano. John Rogers for NPR/johnrogersnyc.com hide caption

Paul Motian, Bill Frisell, Joe Lovano. Arne Reimer/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

The Sound Prints Quintet is (L-R): Lawrence Fields, Dave Douglas, Joe Lovano, Linda Oh, Joey Baron. John Rogers for NPR/johnrogersnyc.com hide caption

Chick Corea (keyboard) joined the SFJAZZ Collective for the closing performance, an arrangement of his piece "Spain." Scott Chernis/Courtesy of SFJAZZ Center hide caption

Folk Art is Joe Lovano's 21st recording for the Blue Note label. He gives a generous nod to Cameroonian saxophonist Manu Dibango on the stand-out track, "Dibango." Jimmy Katz/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Joe Lovano. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

On Bird Songs, Joe Lovano looks for new ways into Charlie Parker's material. Courtesy of Jimmy Katz hide caption

Grammy winner Esperanza Spalding performs at the Village Vanguard with the Joe Lovano Us Five, just a month before her Best New Artist win. John Rogers/johnrogersnyc.com hide caption