John Fedchock

Biography

John Fedchock’s illustrious career in jazz has spanned over three decades. Since his emergence on the scene in 1980, Fedchock has established himself as a world-class trombone soloist, a heralded bandleader, and a Grammy-nominated arranger. An in-demand performer and writer in New York City for over twenty years, his multifaceted talents have led him to become one of NYC’s premiere jazz artists. His critically acclaimed John Fedchock New York Big Band has become a marquee group, showcasing Fedchock’s trombone and arranging as well as the band’s all-star soloists. The band’s four CDs for the Reservoir Music label, “New York Big Band”, “On The Edge”, “No Nonsense”, and “Up & Running”, have all received high praise from critics, and extraordinary success on national jazz radio charts. “New York Big Band” and “On The Edge” both earned 4 1/2 star reviews in DOWNBEAT magazine and were listed in DOWNBEAT’s “Best CDs Of The 90’s”. The success of the band also resulted in Fedchock’s name appearing in DOWNBEAT’s Readers Poll under the categories of Trombone, Arranger and Big Band, simultaneously for several consecutive years. In recognition of his formidable arranging skills on “No Nonsense”, Fedchock was honored by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences with a 2003 Grammy Award nomination for “Best Instrumental Arrangement” for his exciting chart on “Caribbean Fire Dance.” The JFNYBB’s 2007 release, “Up & Running,” spent eight weeks in jazz radio’s Top Ten, with the New York Times applauding the band’s “Cheerful Syncopation, Served With Spit-and-Polish Precision.” His small-group project for Reservoir, “Hit The Bricks” appeared in DOWNBEAT’s list of “Best CDs of 2000”, and features special guests along with showcasing Fedchock’s “incomparable trombone playing, which seems to have no limit, technically or musically” (JazzReview.com). Attention from the recording inspired the creation of the John Fedchock NY Sextet, which has performed throughout the U.S., and at international jazz events.

Fedchock began his career as a jazz trombonist when he joined the legendary Woody Herman Orchestra in 1980. He toured with Woody’s “Thundering Herd” for seven years, during which time he was musical director and a featured soloist. He served as musical coordinator and chief arranger in the production of Herman’s last two Grammy Award nominated albums “50th Anniversary Tour” and “Woody’s Gold Star”, and received accolades from jazz journalists worldwide.. Famed jazz critic Leonard Feather called him the “unsung hero” of Woody’s “50th Anniversary Tour” album and Woody said of Fedchock, “He’s my right hand man. Everything I ask of John he accomplishes, and I ask a lot. He’s a major talent.” DOWN BEAT magazine stated that “it was the young blood of musicians like Fedchock that helped keep Woody Herman’s last years musically healthy and growing”. Fedchock still maintains a close association with the Herman orchestra, performing with the group on occasion and continuing to add his own compositions and arrangements to the band’s library.

Fedchock has toured with T.S. Monk, Gerry Mulligan’s Concert Jazz Band, Louie Bellson’s Big Band, the Bob Belden Ensemble, the Manhattan Jazz Orchestra, and the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, and has performed at jazz festivals and concert halls around the world. As a solo artist, he appears throughout the United States and has toured abroad as a guest trombonist/composer/conductor. To add to his already diverse list of multiple talents, Fedchock is also a producer of note, and has lent his studio expertise to several recent recording projects.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Fedchock is a graduate of The Ohio State University with degrees in Music Education and Jazz Studies. He also holds a master’s degree in Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media from the prestigious Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. He is an in-demand clinician, and conducts seminars and workshops at colleges and universities across the country. A strong advocate for arts in education, Fedchock was Trombone Chair for the International Association For Jazz Education Resource Team and a member of the board of advisors for the International Trombone Association, and is presently trombone representative for the Jazz Education Network’s Expert Team. Many of his jazz compositions and arrangements are published by Kendor Music Inc, Walrus Music Publishing, and Jazzlines Publications. John Fedchock plays XO trombones exclusively.

What the Critics Are Saying About JOHN FEDCHOCK

“…dazzling trombone virtuosity…”
-THE NEW YORK TIMES

“As a soloist, Fedchock’s playing is simply phenomenal. Flawless technique, a melodic approach, and a warm, lush tone are trademarks of his improvisational style. Fedchock achieves a sense of freedom and ease in his playing that defines true artistry.”
-INTERNATIONAL TROMBONE JOURNAL

“…a superior jazz trombonist…”
-Leonard Feather, LOS ANGELES TIMES

“John Fedchock has his own trombone sound. Each note is measured and precise, flowing easily and deftly across the dense musical landscape like a small voice whispering in the wind. Unlike many of his contemporaries who choose to be more boisterous, their styles confrontational and in your face, Fedchock’s phrasing is more elegant and sinuous, almost pianistic.”
-PITTSBURGH POST-GAZZETTE

“Fedchock plays with a dark, virile, sharply etched tone, and he’s as well organized and aware of texture in his articulate solos as he is in his terrific arrangements.”
-Neil Tesser, CHICAGO READER

“Fedchock likes a well-played lyrical line. He plays bop lines, or neo-bop lines and can enter the avant-garde world in a hurry. With his startling combination of speed an articulation, Fedchock smokes with an up-tempo lyricism simply not heard these days.”
-THE CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER

“Fedchock is a swift, smart player whose slide technique is so polished that at times he seems to be playing a valve instrument.”
-THE VIRGINIA PILOT

“Tasteful and sophisticated, John’s playing is always impressive. Everything about his playing and demeanor exudes class.”
-INTERNATIONAL TROMBONE JOURNAL

“…one of the country’s most accomplished trombonists…”
-THE CLEVELAND NEWS HERALD

“…a superb trombone soloist…”
-JAZZ JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL