John Patitucci (born December 22, 1959) is an American jazz bassist and composer.

John Patitucci
John Patitucci at the 2018 Kongsberg Jazzfestival
John Patitucci at the 2018 Kongsberg Jazzfestival
Background information
Birth nameJohn James Patitucci
Born (1959-12-22) December 22, 1959 (age 64)
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
GenresJazz, jazz fusion
Occupation(s)Musician, composer
Instrument(s)Double bass, bass guitar
Years active1980–present
LabelsGRP, Stretch, Concord Jazz
Websitejohnpatitucci.com

Biography

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John James Patitucci was born in Brooklyn, New York.[1] He began playing the electric bass at age 10, performing and composing at age 12, and at age 15, started playing the acoustic bass, as well as piano by age 16. He listened to bass parts in R&B songs on the radio and on his grandfather's jazz records. He cites as influences Oscar Peterson's albums with Ray Brown and Wes Montgomery's with Ron Carter.[2] For the development of rhythm, he points to the time he has spent with Danilo Pérez, a pianist from Panama.[3]

 
John Patitucci and Wayne Shorter with the Wayne Shorter Quartet at the Teatro degli Arcimboldi, Milan, Italy, 2010

In the late 1970s he studied acoustic bass at San Francisco State University and Long Beach State University. He began his professional career when he moved to Los Angeles in 1980 and made connections with Henry Mancini, Dave Grusin, and Tom Scott. From the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s he was a member of three Chick Corea groups: the Elektric Band, the Akoustic Band, and the quartet. As a leader he formed a trio with Joey Calderazzo and Peter Erskine, and a quartet with Vinnie Colaiuta, Steve Tavaglione, and John Beasley. He has played with Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and Roy Haynes.[1] Patitucci switches between double bass and electric bass.[3]

He was the artistic director of the Bass Collective, a school for bassists in New York City and is involved with the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz and the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program. He was Professor of Jazz Studies at City College of New York. In June 2012 he started the Online Jazz Bass School. He was appointed artist in residence at Berklee College of Music.[4]

Back in Brooklyn

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Back in Brooklyn is a documentary about Patitucci released by August Sky Films in 2015. Directed by Patrick Cone, the film includes footage from rehearsals, studio sessions, live performances, and interviews with Chick Corea, Wayne Shorter, and Herbie Hancock. The documentary was filmed during or around the time Patitucci's album Brooklyn was recorded.[5]

Awards and honors

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Discography

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As leader/co-leader

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  • John Patitucci (GRP, 1987)
  • On the Corner (GRP, 1989)
  • Sketchbook (GRP, 1990)
  • Heart of the Bass (Stretch, 1992)
  • Another World (GRP, 1993)
  • Mistura Fina (GRP, 1995)
  • One More Angel (Concord, 1997)
  • Now (Concord, 1998)
  • Imprint (Concord, 2000)
  • Communion (Concord, 2001)
  • Songs, Stories & Spirituals (Concord, 2003)
  • Line by Line (Concord, 2006)
  • Remembrance (Concord, 2009)
  • Viva Hermeto! with André Marques, Brian Blade (Borandá, 2014)
  • Brooklyn (Three Faces, 2015)[7]
  • Soul of the Bass (Three Faces, 2019)

As group

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Tamarack

  • Tamarack (Parbar Music, 1981)

The Hudson Project with Peter Erskine, John Abercrombie, Bob Mintzer

The Great Jazz Trio

  • 'S Wonderful with Hank Jones, Jack DeJohnette (Eighty-eight's, 2004)
  • Speak Low with Hank Jones and Jack DeJohnette (Eighty-Eight's, 2005)
  • Stella by Starlight with Hank Jones and Omar Hakim and guest Sadao Watanabe (Eighty-Eight's, 2006)
  • July 5 th - Live at Birdland NY with Hank Jones and Omar Hakim (Eighty-Eight's, 2007)
  • July 6 th - Live at Birdland NY with Hank Jones and Omar Hakim (Eighty-Eight's, 2007)

Others

As sideman or guest

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Gilbert, Mark (2002). Kernfeld, Barry (ed.). The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz. Vol. 3 (2nd ed.). New York: Grove's Dictionaries Inc. p. 245. ISBN 1-56159-284-6.
  2. ^ Lutz, Phillip (July 2015). "Home Turf". Downbeat. 82 (7). Elmhurst, Illinois: Maher Publications: 41–42.
  3. ^ a b Herrera, Jonathan (September 30, 2013). "Warwick Bass Camp 2013: The Best of the Bass". Premier Guitar. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
  4. ^ "John Patitucci | Berklee College of Music". www.berklee.edu. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
  5. ^ "Back in Brooklyn!". August Sky Films. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
  6. ^ "Bass Player". December 11, 2023.
  7. ^ John Patitucci - Discography
  8. ^ Vacher, Peter (December 2023 – January 2024). "Richard Baratta: Off the Charts". Jazzwise. No. 291. p. 34.
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