Watch John Scofield Cover ‘60s Soul Classic With Late Show Band For ‘Colbert’

Renowned jazz guitarist John Scofield sat-in with The Late Show Band on an episode of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert that aired on Thursday, January 11. The CBS late-night talk show rolled out video of Scofield joining the house band for a cover of “I Don’t Need No Doctor” as the latest installment of The Late Show’s Commercial Breakdown series.

The Late Show Band leader Louis Cato sang the “I Don’t Need No Doctor” previously seen in full by only the in-studio audience at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City. Scofield showed off his signature gripping tone during a solo and then interlaced guitars with Cato for a riveting duel to bring the song to a climax.

Penned by Nick Ashford, Valerie Simpson and Jo Armstead, “I Don’t Need No Doctor” was originally released by Simpson on August 1966. Ray Charles put his stamp on the song for a single issued two months later that arguably stands as the definitive take on the tune.

John Scofield recorded “I Don’t Need No Doctor” with special guest John Mayer on vocals and additional guitar for the 2005 LP That’s What I Say: John Scofield Plays The Music Of Ray Charles. The pair performed the song on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno in the wake of the album’s release. Humble Pie, Styx, Gov’t Mule, New Riders Of The Purple Sage, Great White and The Radiators are among the numerous other artists who have interpreted “I Don’t Need No Doctor.”

See John Scofield team with The Late Show Band to perform “I Don’t Need No Doctor” below:

John Scofield’s next American shows come at the Dakota on Minneapolis on April 2. The guitarist will play both early and late shows at the venue. Scroll below to view a full list of John Scofield tour dates including appearances with Lettuce and Gov't Mule at Daze Between New Orleans on April 30 and May 1.