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John Fedchock
About Me
John Fedchock’s illustrious career in jazz has spanned over four 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, his multifaceted talents have led him to become one of NYC’s
premier 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 JFNYBB’s five CDs
have all received high praise from critics and extraordinary success on
national jazz radio charts. The early success of the band 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,
Fedchock is a two-time GRAMMY Award nominee for “Best Instrumental
Arrangement”. Small group projects with his quartet and NY Sextet
showcase A-list sidemen along with Fedchock’s incomparable trombone
playing.
Fedchock began his career in jazz 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 and
received accolades from jazz journalists worldwide. Famed jazz critic
Leonard Feather called him an “unsung hero” 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.” DOWNBEAT 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 band, performing with the
group on occasion and continuing to add compositions and arrangements
to the library.
Fedchock has toured with T.S. Monk, Gerry Mulligan Concert Jazz Band,
Louie Bellson Big Band, Bob Belden Ensemble, Manhattan Jazz Orchestra,
Jon Faddis 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 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 and also holds
a master’s degree in Jazz from the Eastman School of Music. He is an in-
demand clinician and conducts workshops at schools across the country.
His arrangements are published by Jazzlines, Kendor Music, and Walrus
Music. Fedchock is a trombone artist for XO Professional Brass and plays
XO trombones exclusively. His collaboration with the company to create the
XO1632 trombone has proven to be an overwhelming success in both
innovative design and industry popularity.