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Pete McCann
An Eau Claire, Wisconsin native, jazz guitarist Pete McCann has been an integral part of the New York City jazz scene for over 25 years. He has just released Pay For It On The Other Side, his sixth recording as a leader. A sought-after sideman from duos to big bands, with a unique and wide-ranging set of musical skills, McCann has played guitar on over 100 CDs. Pete has performed in every type of venue from jazz clubs to jazz festivals, schools to concert halls and even Carnegie Hall. He has traveled to 18 countries and has played in almost every state in the USA. McCann has performed and/or recorded with Kenny Wheeler, Dave Liebman, Lee Konitz, Patti Austin, Brian Blade, Bobby Previte, Grace Kelly, the Mahavishnu Project and the Maria Schneider Orchestra. He currently works in groups lead by Melissa Stylianou, Jocelyn Medina, Joe Fiedler, Spin Cycle, Ben Kono, Dan Willis, Pete Mills, Chris Tarry, the Breithaupt Brothers and orchestras led by Migiwa Miyajima and Christopher Zuar. As a commercial recording artist, he has worked on projects for CNN, BBC, Sesame Street and IBM. Pay For It On The Other Side features John O’Gallagher, Henry Hey Matt Clohesy and Mark Ferber. His earlier CDs have featured Mike Holober, John Hebert, Peter Epstein, Mike Sarin, Tim Lefebvre and Matt Wilson. His solo recordings have received rave reviews: Pay For It On The Other Side (2018): “Guitarist Pete McCann has been heralded as a convincing voice of the contemporary jazz guitar world, showing skills to combine hard rock, blues and post-bop in a legitimate manner…” — Jazz Trail Range (2015): “McCann has such command of his instrument that he can go deep in any setting...” — DownBeat Extra Mile (2009): “[T]he Eau Claire, Wisconsin native continues to make strong personal statements with his sophisticated harmonic sensibility, blistering chops and improvisational daring.” — Guitar Player Most Folks (2006): “This and virtually every tune offered during the performance revealed McCann to be a song writer of considerable gifts.” — Portland Herald Press You Remind Me of Someone (2000): “Along with fine playing and breadth, McCann has an underlying artistry....” — Jazz Times Parable (1998): “McCann is a multitasking dynamo as he switch hits between blazing guitar pyrotechnics and clear-toned, fleet fingered jazz soloing.” — www.allaboutjazz.com McCann received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Texas and has taught at New York University, The New School, City College and the Maine Jazz Camp.
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by Jack Bowers
Dan Pugach is an Israeli-born, New York-based drummer who doubles (quite well) as composer and arranger on Bianca, his second recording for Outside In Music. Pugach anchors a splendid big band comprised of some of the New York area's finest musicians on an album whose subtitle is Music for Paws and Persistence." The paws" were those of the Pugach family's rescue pit-bull, Bianca, who passed away in 2019 and left a gaping hole in their lives, as ...
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![Read "What Place Can Be for Us? - A Suite in Ten Movements" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/ded3a0d1d75b56cec3244c4bc4340ba8.jpg)
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L'avventuroso post-bop del compositore Anthony Branker, ben espresso dall'album Beauty Within del quintetto Imagine, trova nuovi e più articolati sviluppi in questo What Place Can Be for Us?. Il gruppo conferma il chitarrista Pete McCann e la coppia Fabian Almazan e Linda May Han Oh ampliandosi fino a un medio organico con alcuni dei massimi giovani strumentisti di New York: il trombettista Philip Dizack, i sassofonisti Walter Smith III e Remy Le Boeuf, il batterista Donald Edwards e la vocalist ...
read morePete McCann: Without Question
![Read "Without Question" reviewed by Jack Bowers](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/6c9c957fa043ae33d8d955766688c368.jpg)
by Jack Bowers
Guitarist and composer Pete McCann pulls out all the stops on Without Question, his seventh album as leader, unveiling his singular talents on everything from burners ("Without Question," Trifecta") to ballads ("I Can Remember," January," Lost City"), blues ("Blues for O.M."), burlesque ("Conspiracy Theory"), biting commentary ("Erase the Hate") and borrowed themes ("Lovely Thing"). McCann, a native of Wisconsin who has been a fixture on the New York scene for more than thirty years, is also smart--smart enough, that is, ...
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In 2003 I recorded the album Dedication, my fifth independently released CD, which in the liner notes I detailed a brief musical history. Dedication bridged a 14-year gap between recordings, as well as a documented move from jny: Seattle, WA. to jny: New York City. In 2004 I formed the Bill Stevens Quintet and in 2005 we recorded the CD Full Circle. Full Circle detailed a specific moment in time and musical direction. In the liner notes I stated, I ...
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![Read "Anthony Branker: What Place Can Be for Us? - A Suite in Ten Movements" reviewed by Michael Ambrosino](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/ded3a0d1d75b56cec3244c4bc4340ba8.jpg)
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read moreSpin Cycle: Spin Cycle III
![Read "Spin Cycle III" reviewed by Mark Corroto](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/5f247028036a2647e8f93325d980c592.jpg)
by Mark Corroto
The quartet we know as Spin Cycle delivers III, the band's follow up to Assorted Colors (Sound Footing Records, 2018). Here, the compositional partners Scott Neumann and Tom Christensen exercise their omnivorous tastes on a broad --ranging spectrum of sound. Like their previous two albums, the pair employ guitarist Pete McCann and bassist Phil Palombi, two über sidemen to accomplish their insatiable need to explore multiple genres and eras. There is something here for everyone. The opening track ...
read moreJazz Musician of the Day: Pete McCann
![Jazz Musician of the Day: Pete McCann](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/b38368b68a359a91466d0c01928a53ee.jpg)
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Pete McCann's birthday today!
An Eau Claire, Wisconsin native, jazz guitarist Pete McCann has been an integral part of the New York City jazz scene for over 25 years. He has just released Pay For It On The Other Side, his sixth recording as a leader. A sought-after sideman from duos to big bands, with a unique and wide-ranging set of musical skills, McCann has played guitar on over 100 CDs. Pete has performed in ...
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Jazz Musician of the Day: Pete McCann
![Jazz Musician of the Day: Pete McCann](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/b38368b68a359a91466d0c01928a53ee.jpg)
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Pete McCann's birthday today!
An Eau Claire, Wisconsin native, jazz guitarist Pete McCann has been an integral part of the New York City jazz scene for over 25 years. He has just released Pay For It On The Other Side, his sixth recording as a leader. A sought-after sideman from duos to big bands, with a unique and wide-ranging set of musical skills, McCann has played guitar on over 100 CDs. Pete has performed in ...
read more
Jazz Musician of the Day: Pete McCann
![Jazz Musician of the Day: Pete McCann](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/b38368b68a359a91466d0c01928a53ee.jpg)
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Pete McCann's birthday today!
Pete McCann is undoubtedly one of the most respected and industrious electric guitarists on the New York and international scene- a popular sideman in innumerable jazz and jazz/rock line-ups over the past 25 years, as well as a recording artist in his own right with five solo albums released to date. McCann\'s prowess has led him to perform with many of the jazz greats, including Kenny Wheeler, Dave Liebman, Lee Konitz, ...
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Guitarist Pete McCann Flexes Jazz-Rock Muscles On "Pay For It On The Other Side," Set For July 20 Release By McCannic Music
![Guitarist Pete McCann Flexes Jazz-Rock Muscles On "Pay For It On The Other Side," Set For July 20 Release By McCannic Music](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/051d2873f1d956281977162f80116fc1.jpg)
Source:
Terri Hinte Publicity
Pete McCann’s trademark infusion of post-bop jazz with roots-rock grit and energy reaches a new peak with the guitarist-composer’s July 20 release of Pay for It on the Other Side (McCannic Music). McCann’s sixth album, and his third with the quintet of alto saxophonist John O’Gallagher, pianist/keyboardist Henry Hey, bassist Matt Clohesy, and drummer Mark Ferber, packs a hefty punch that emphasizes the confrontational aspect implied by its name. “It sounds like an aggressive album title,” McCann acknowledges, noting that ...
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Jazz Musician of the Day: Pete McCann
![Jazz Musician of the Day: Pete McCann](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/b38368b68a359a91466d0c01928a53ee.jpg)
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Pete McCann's birthday today!
Pete McCann is undoubtedly one of the most respected and industrious electric guitarists on the New York and international scene- a popular sideman in innumerable jazz and jazz/rock line-ups over the past 25 years, as well as a recording artist in his own right with five solo albums released to date. McCann\'s prowess has led him to perform with many of the jazz greats, including Kenny Wheeler, Dave Liebman, Lee Konitz, ...
read more
Jazz Musician of the Day: Pete McCann
![Jazz Musician of the Day: Pete McCann](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/b38368b68a359a91466d0c01928a53ee.jpg)
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Pete McCann's birthday today!
Pete McCann is undoubtedly one of the most respected and industrious electric guitarists on the New York and international scene- a popular sideman in innumerable jazz and jazz/rock line-ups over the past 25 years, as well as a recording artist in his own right with five solo albums released to date. McCann\'s prowess has led him to perform with many of the jazz greats, including Kenny Wheeler, Dave Liebman, Lee Konitz, ...
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Guitarist/Composer Pete McCann On Tour In Support Of "Range"
![Guitarist/Composer Pete McCann On Tour In Support Of "Range"](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/b38368b68a359a91466d0c01928a53ee.jpg)
Source:
Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity
GUITARIST/COMPOSER/BANDLEADER PETE MCCANN ON TOUR IN SUPPORT OF HIS FIFTH RECORDING, RANGE Range is available now on Whirlwind Recordings. CD RELEASE CELEBRATION TOUR Nov 3 - 8PM - Marshall University, Huntington, WV Nov 4 - 9PM - Denison University, Granville, OH Nov 5 - 3:30PM - Clinic at Kent State Univ. Recital Hall, Kent, OH Nov 5 - 8PM - Blu Jazz, Akron, OH Nov 6 - Clinic for Jazz Arts Group, Columbus, OH Nov 7 - 10PM - Natalie's, ...
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Jazz Musician of the Day: Pete McCann
![Jazz Musician of the Day: Pete McCann](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/b38368b68a359a91466d0c01928a53ee.jpg)
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Pete McCann's birthday today!
Jazz guitarist Pete McCann has been an integral part of the New York City scene for 20 years. He currently leads an exciting new group of New York's finest jazz artists on his latest CD, Extra Mile, on Nineteen-Eight Records. McCann's other releases, Most Folks, You Remind Me of Someone, Parable, have been widely praised by top jazz critics. McCann is one of the first-call sidemen in New York... Read more. ...
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Pete McCann Explores The Breadth Of His Formidable Artistry As A Guitarist, Composer & Bandleader On His Fifth Recording, "Range"
![Pete McCann Explores The Breadth Of His Formidable Artistry As A Guitarist, Composer & Bandleader On His Fifth Recording, "Range"](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/PETE_MCCANN_RANGE_COVER.jpg)
Source:
Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity
Featuring: Pete McCann (composer, electric & acoustic guitars), John O'Gallagher (alto saxophone), Henry Hey (piano, Rhodes and organ), Matt Clohesy (acoustic & electric bass), Mark Ferber (drums) Available on Whirlwind Records on September 18, 2015 McCann's tunes can be both manic and vivid, even when they're in ballad mode. That gives his stuff a cinematic feel—from car chase squall to closing credits poignancy - you often feel like you're walking through a film when this quintet hits its stride." —Jim ...
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Guitarist Pete McCann Interviewed at AAJ
![Guitarist Pete McCann Interviewed at AAJ](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/b38368b68a359a91466d0c01928a53ee.jpg)
Source:
All About Jazz
Jazz guitarist and educator Pete McCann has been a first-call sideman and bandleader on the New York scene for almost twenty years. Possessing a musical style that draws from the blues, jazz and rock genres, McCann's playing and writing styles are as diverse as his influences. Having worked with such world-class performers as Lee Konitz, Chris Tarry, Dave Liebman, Kenny Garrett, Greg Osby, Brian Blade and the Maria Schneider Orchestra, McCann has appeared on over fifty recordings as a sideman. ...
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"This is the fifth album as leader by NYC-based guitarist Pete McCann and demonstrates just what heights the jazz guitar is capable of reaching when placed in the hands of an expert who understands the meaning of balance and finesse." - Roger Farbey, All About Jazz "Not an album to pigeonhole, it's an album for today but with many different facets: Gentle ethereal sounds; hard postbop and some wild jazz rock blasts." - Lance Liddle, Bebop Spoken Here "Living up to its title, Range makes a compelling case for McCann's manifold abilities, as a crack improviser, a noteworthy composer and a magnanimous bandleader." - Troy Collins, All About Jazz "It's a cool effect switching from cerebral, passive engagement to supercharged emotional connectivity." - Dave Sumner, Bird is the Worm
Primary Instrument
Guitar
Willing to teach
Advanced only
Credentials/Background
McCann received his Bachelors of Music from the University of North Texas in 1989. He also studied at the prestigious Banff School of the Arts in 1988. Pete is an adjunct faculty guitar teacher at The New School and City College in New York City. He also teaches at the NYU Summer Guitar Intensive, and the Maine Jazz Camp.
Clinic/Workshop Information
McCann has done several clinics at major universities in the United States, Europe and Canada. One of Pete's favorite clinics uses concepts from "The Lexicon of Symmetric Scales and Tonal Patterns" by Dr
John Abercrombie
guitarRichie Beirach
pianoWayne Shorter
saxophoneJohn Coltrane
saxophoneBill Frisell
guitar, electricHerbie Hancock
pianoAllan Holdsworth
guitar, electricKeith Jarrett
pianoJohn McLaughlin
guitarKenny Wheeler
flugelhornPhotos
Music
The Door of No Return
From: What Place Can Be for Us? - A...By Pete McCann