Michael Pedicin - Why Stop Now...Ubuntu

[GA Russell]

Michael Pedicin is a favorite of mine, and I'm looking forward to hearing this one very much.

"Why Stop Now ... Ubuntu,"
12th CD by
Tenor Saxophonist Michael Pedicin,
To Be Released September 24
by His GroundBlue Label

Pedicin's Working Band Includes
Pianist Rick Germanson, Bassist Andy Lalasis,
Drummer Vic Stevens, &
Frequent Collaborator Johnnie Valentino on Guitar

CD Release Shows Planned for
Oakland, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Los Angeles

August 13, 2013

A passionately soulful improviser, tenor saxophonist Michael Pedicin is in the midst of an impressive creative surge clearly reflected in his prolific work as a recording artist and composer. His new CD, Why Stop Now ... Ubuntu, is his 12th as a leader -- and 5th in the last six years. Scheduled for release on September 24 by his GroundBlue label, the disc reconfirms his status as a masterful post-bopper.

Much of the music on Why Stop Now was inspired by the 2012 Newtown tragedy, including the haunting ballad ("Newtown") by guitarist Johnnie Valentino and Pedicin's glowing impromptu solo passage ("Ubuntu"), which closes the album. "'Ubuntu' means 'human kindness,' an African philosophy focusing on our connections with one another," says Pedicin. "It echoes my constant hope for peace and connectedness in our world."

Along with Valentino, who's been an essential collaborator on all of Pedicin's recent recordings, the saxophonist is joined by regular bassist Andy Lalasis and two newcomers to his working quintet, tasteful drummer Vic Stevens and rising young pianist Rick Germanson. Pedicin continues his relationship with producer Joseph Donofrio, best known in the jazz world for his work on Pat Martino's Grammy-nominated Blue Note recordings and also at the helm for last year's Pedicin CD Live at the Loft.

Why Stop Now contains four originals by the leader, including "Trane Stop," a tribute to his musical hero, as well as two by Coltrane himself, "Tunji" and "Song of the Underground Railroad." "I lived my life admiring and idolizing Trane, every day, all day," Pedicin says unabashedly. "I identify with everything about him."

Michael Pedicin, 65, grew up in a musical family in the Philadelphia suburbs. By the time he was 13 and had heard saxophonist Willis "Gator Tail" Jackson in person and Coltrane and Cannonball Adderley on record, he knew he wanted to spend his life playing saxophone.

At 20, Pedicin began earning his living as a member of the horn section at Philadelphia's Sigma Sound Studios, where he worked for producers Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, and Thom Bell, playing on sessions by such artists as the Spinners, the O'Jays, and Lou Rawls. He also went on the road with Maynard Ferguson, Stevie Wonder, and David Bowie.

In 1980, Pedicin made his first album, Michael Pedicin Jr. (Philadelphia International). Subsequently he toured with Brubeck, and was a mainstay in the Atlantic City casinos, hiring orchestras and playing behind such singers as Frank Sinatra.

Pedicin has since played a lot of straight-ahead jazz, formed his Brubeck Project (which released its debut CD in early 2011), and toured with such notables as guitarist Pat Martino. He also earned a Ph.D in psychology and, in addition to his musical activities, has a private psychology practice specializing in helping creative people. He's an active educator who founded Temple University's jazz studies program and is currently a Professor of Music and Coordinator of Jazz Studies at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.

As part of the promotion for Why Stop Now ... Ubuntu, Pedicin will make two Bay Area appearances with the Johnnie Valentino Quartet on 9/14, at Duende in Oakland, and 9/15, at Chez Hanny, San Francisco. He'll perform with his working quintet at Chris' Jazz Cafe, Philadelphia, on 10/5; Noyes Museum of Art in Oceanville, NJ, 10/6; and Vitello's, Los Angeles, 10/10.

"As I began preparing my thoughts and writing the music for this CD, I wanted to fulfill the opportunity of bringing forth a message of unity," says Pedicin. "I feel that I must continue to create, and that my inspiration must continue to evolve in a way that brings me to new places. My hope is for enduring connectedness, peace, and human kindness in our world through the voice that I have -- the saxophone. Ubuntu."


Photography: Paul Dempsey

Web Site:
www.michaelpedicin.com

Follow Michael:

[Kevin Bresnahan]

Ubuntu does not mean "human kindness". It means "Linux operating system".

[Jerry_L]

I like Pedicin's playing, though some of his earlier recorded output (such as Because of Love from 1996) leaned towards a smooth commercial groove. Sounds like he's more raw jazz-oriented these days and this new set could be one of his better efforts.

Edited August 13, 2013 by Jerry_L

[Jerry_L]

Though his playing was less mature, his funky fusion from the late '70's is actually better in some ways than his '90's smooth jazz:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9_mkBoRhLs

Edited August 13, 2013 by Jerry_L

[erwbol]

Ubuntu does not mean "human kindness". It means "Linux operating system".

Ubuntu 12.04 LTS (Precise Pedicin)

[king ubu]

I'm quite happy with Windows:

[GA Russell]

I got this in the mail today, and I see that it was recorded this past May 27-29.

I can't remember the last time I've seen an album released so soon after it was recorded. It reminds me of 1964 when Beatles albums were released just a few weeks after they were done.

[GA Russell]

Pedicin's last two albums are up on Spotify, but so far this one isn't. I'll keep an eye out.

Marc Myers recommended it the other day in his JazzWax blog, so that motivated me to open it up and give it a listen.

I like it a lot, but not as much as the other two which are posted in this forum, both of which I loved.

At times the music is more free than in the other two albums, making me wonder where he is going with it. But overall it is a very pleasant and mellow album.

[colinmce]

I got this in the mail today, and I see that it was recorded this past May 27-29.

I can't remember the last time I've seen an album released so soon after it was recorded. It reminds me of 1964 when Beatles albums were released just a few weeks after they were done.

JD Allen's Matador & The Bull was recorded in Feb. 2012 and came out in June or July. I did a double take on that one.

[mr jazz]

I have Ballads, searching for peace. MP has a nice tone on this recording.