Johnnie Valentino/Kenneth Burgomaster Quintet
featuring Michael Pedicin

Guitarist and composer Johnnie Valentino was born in 1957 in South Philadelphia, where he studied privately with Philly legends Dennis Sandole, Joe Sgro and Pat Martino. Also during that time he studied composition at Rutgers University while doing local club dates and recording sessions at Alpha recording studio for Philly World Records. In 1984 Johnnie relocated to Los Angeles where he has been musically active in writing, recording, scoring, performing and sound designing for TV, films, toys, and recordings.

He has recorded with some of today's leading improvisers including Alex Acuna, Oscar Brashear, Delmar Brown, Luis Conte, Billy Drewes, Kermit Driscoll, Mark Ferber, Sherman Ferguson, Erik Friedlander, Vinny Golia, Gerry Hemingway, Alphonso Johnson, Russ Johnson, Andy Laster, Pat Martino, Bennie Maupin, Darek Oles, Michael Pedicin, Alan Pasqua, Mick Rossi, Mike Sarin, Bob Sheppard, Wadada Leo Smith, and Trevor Ware.

http://www.johnnievalentino.com/

Composer/pianist Kenneth Burgomaster was raised in a musical family (his parents are both professional musicians) in Indianapolis, IN. After graduating from Kenyon College in Ohio he spent a year in New York City scoring commercials & playing piano at the famous Empire Diner before heading to LA.

His composing credits include three Garfield films and "Hero Wanted" for Sony Pictures, and over 500 episodes of television.

As a keyboardist Burgomaster has worked with Herbie Hancock, Bennie Maupin, and Carly Simon, and has performed on "The Tonight Show," "Conan O'Brien," and at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. His band "Back of the Hand All Stars" has been playing at The Brig in Venice, CA every Tues. since 2002, with guest musicians including Sal Marquez, Robbie Krieger, Jimmy Haslip, Harvey Mason, Doug Webb and Jimmy Earl.

Philadelphia based tenor saxophonist Michael Pedicin has had a varied career, including a ten year stint with Gamble and Huff’s Philadelphia International Records as a busy studio musician, and touring saxophonist with The O’Jays, David Bowie, Lou Rawls, Stevie Wonder, and MFSB.

A Ph.D. in Cognitive and Creative Arts Psychology, an honorary doctorate from Combs College of Music, and three illustrious teaching positions (University Of The Arts/Philadelphia; Temple University/Philadelphia; The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey) weren’t enough to keep him from his other jobs as tenor saxophonist with Maynard Ferguson, Dave Brubeck, Stanley Clarke, Terence Blanchard and Pat Martino.

He just released his 12th CD, "Why Stop Now ... Ubuntu", featuring frequent collaborator Johnnie Valentino.

http://www.michaelpedicin.com/

Since moving to San Francisco in 1999, Sam Bevan has established himself as one of the most versatile and creative bassists in the Bay Area.

The foundation was laid for Bevan’s career where he began classical piano lessons at the age of four. Sam's adoption of the electric and acoustic bass followed periods playing jazz and classical piano, singing professionally and getting a BA in French.

Sam has had the opportunity to work with a wide range of artists including: David Grisman, Zigaboo Modeliste, Joshua Redman, Roswell Rudd, Houston Person, Kenny Washington, Joe Locke, Michael Wolff, Jim Kweskin, Geoff Muldaur, Joe Craven, Meklit Hadero, Lisa Engelken, Jackie Ryan, Jacqui Naylor, The VNote Ensemble, Telepathy, Nathan Clevenger Group, New Pickle Family Circus, Ian Dogole & Hemispheres, Fil Lorenz Orchestra, and the Contemporary Jazz Orchestra.

http://www.sambevan.com/

Drummer Lorca Hart grew up in Taos, New Mexico in a musical family. He attended California Institute of the Arts from 1992-96, studying with Albert "Tootie" Heath, Joe La Barbera, Charlie Haden, and Wadada Leo Smith.

Since that time Lorca has performed with Ralph Moore, Carmen Lundy, Freddie Hubbard, Calvin Keys, Stanley Jordan, Craig Handy, Herman Riley, Azar Lawrence, Red Holloway, Plas Johnson, John Heard, Bennie Maupin, Dave Pike, Don Menza, Hugh Masekela, the Clayton Brothers, Anthony Wilson, Julian Lage, Gerald Wiggins, and the Cross Hart Jazz Experience. He also leads his own trio with Josh Nelson on piano and Edwin Livingston on bass.

Lorca appeared here previously with Dave Scott, Dima, and the Lorca Hart Trio featuring Harvey Wainapel.

http://www.lorcahart.com

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