STAR BASS

John Patitucci is an archetype for all jazz bassists, whether on the double bass, or in electric mode. The Brooklyn genius was born in 1959, and his formative years were spent digging through his grandfather’s collection of jazz albums. Learning from the work of Oscar Peterson and Ray Brown, he went on to study stand-up bass at San Francisco and Long Beach universities. A move down to LA got him gigs with Henry Mancini, and he has since worked extensively with Chick Corea. Patitucci is also renowned as a session bassist, working with, and has received numerous awards including Most Valuable Player from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences in 1986, as well as several Grammy awards with Wayne Shorter and Directions in Music. Patitucci is also involved with education, both as a visiting artist at the Berklee College of Music and—with the coolest job title on earth—Professor of Jazz Studies at City College in New York. It’s a sign of his prolific nature that we’re focusing solely on his solo work this month.