Saxophonist Cali Jones to Release New Track “Scratch” on Sept. 28th, 2026
Cali Jones
“Scratch”
Reimagining a relatively overlooked Crusaders jazz-funk jam more than five decades after its original appearance is one thing; finding the perfect combination of musicians to make that groove feel freshly alive is another. Cali Jones accomplishes both on his vibrant Woodward Avenue Records debut, a thoroughly modern take on “Scratch,” the Wayne Henderson composition that originally appeared as the title track of the Crusaders’ 1974 live album (also titled Scratch), recorded at Los Angeles’ Roxy Theatre. Rather than reaching for one of the group’s more familiar hits, Jones has chosen a deep cut whose infectious pocket and loose-limbed interplay struck him immediately as worthy of rediscovery.
The arrangement retains that essential spirit while giving Jones plenty of room to establish his own voice. It opens with an old-school funk pulse colored by silky jazz guitar and bluesy keyboard textures before his saxophone enters in a cool, low-toned register, locking into a conversational exchange with Paul Brown’s guitar and Gregg Karukas’ simmering B3. A dramatic stop briefly clears the air before Jones returns with the main melody, initially restrained and soulful, then gradually reaching into higher, more impassioned territory. The beauty is in how naturally the track breathes: the beat remains steady while Jones continually changes the emotional temperature.
Paul Brown hears Jones as possessing “the silky smoothness of Boney James, with the edge and power of Richard Elliot.” Yet “Scratch” makes clear that Jones isn’t trying to be either of those artists. He is simply following the music wherever it wants to go, balancing sophistication with funk, restraint with exuberance and technical command with genuine feeling. More than 50 years after the Crusaders first showcased “Scratch” at the Roxy, Cali Jones proves that even an under-the-radar classic can have another life waiting for the right musician to discover it. His version doesn’t merely revisit the past—it gives this irresistible tune a fresh reason to move.
Gorov Music