Michael Pedicin
“At the age of twenty-one, the most exciting solo in the three-day festival was by Michael Pedicin.”
“When you hear Pedicin’s current playing, you will realize that what he played at twenty-one has now been realized and ripened to a sound that is familiar, challenging, innovative, and full of the history of the great jazz tenor saxophonists … without compromise or imitation.” — Downbeat
Michael Pedicin tempered the soft-focus lyricism that the quartet’s chair has demanded with some discreet John Coltrane devices and an attractive sense of spacing and drama. — NY Times
Michael Pedicin was just wailing-soloing after Pat Martino in full flight didn’t phase him. Pedicin was so passionate and intense, devoid of cliche and mannerism, an authentic player of his own improvisations. — New Morning Jazz Club (Paris)
Michael Pedicin grew up in Philadelphia, a city replete with so many wonderful jazz musicians, especially the most important contributors to his love and pursuit of jazz studies, John Coltrane and Michael Brecker.
He began his musical studies at the University of the Arts, during which time he began performing in local jazz clubs and academic venues, most notably being awarded ‘best saxophonist’ and leader of the best quintet at the Villanova Jazz Festival as well as many other collegiate jazz festivals in the United States.
Upon graduation, he was a sought-after studio musician in Philadelphia, taught at the University of the Arts, and later co-created the Jazz Department at Temple University. He also began traveling with his own quintet while maintaining a professorship at Temple University.
Michael’s first solo album release was in 1980 and to date, he has fifteen other solo albums and CDs since that time as well as playing on hundreds of other artists’ albums and/or CDs.
One of Michael’s earlier bio states, “Michael has played with everyone from Bowie to Brubeck,” and so he has. Michael has played and/or toured with Maynard Ferguson, Dave Brubeck, Stanley Clarke, Peter Erskine, Stevie Wonder, Gino Vanelli, and most recently with the virtuosic jazz guitarist Pat Martino.
Michael’s most recent quintet recordings and performances are with Johnnie Valentino, guitar; Jim Ridl, piano; Chris Colangelo, bass; Justin Faulkner, drums.
Johnnie Valentino
Johnnie Valentino spent his youth in a Philadelphia neighborhood that was filled with a history of great jazz guitarists that starts with Eddie Lang and continues through to a modern day virtuoso, Pat Martino. Valentino studied privately with Joe Sgro, Dennis Sandole, Phil Woods and Pat Martino. In the late 70’s & early 80’s, Valentino studied music at Rutgers University while playing nightclubs and doing recording dates for Philly World Records at Alpha studios. In 1984 Valentino relocated to Los Angeles where he has been musically active in many facets of the arts such as composing, scoring, sound designing and performing, for various films & TV shows, as well as games & toys… Valentino can also be heard on numerous jazz recordings,
He has recorded with contemporary improvisers such as Michael Pedicin, Pat Martino, Alan Pasqua, Alex Acuna, Billy Drewes, Kermit Driscoll, Mick Rossi, Vinny Golia, Bob Sheppard, Mike Sarin, Wadada Leo Smith, Bennie Maupin, Gerry Hemingway, Alphonso Johnson, Luis Conti, Clayton Cameron, Jim Ridl, Jimmy Haslip, Jon Gibson, & Justin Faulkner.
Blame It On Your Heart
Song For My Mother - Michael Pedicin Quintet
Impressions - Michael Pedicin Live at Vitello's
Michael Pedicin - Theme For Ernie - Live at Vitello's - 8/23/12
To contact Michael Pedicin, email mpedicin@gmail.com or call +1 917 671-8717.