Podcast 494: A Conversation with Pete McCann

Straight No Chaser - A Jazz Show

Pete McCann is the kind of jazz musician with whose name you might not be familiar, but you almost surely have heard him onstage or on record. The New York jazz scene is deep with players, and while Pete doesn't necessarily hang out in Gotham anymore, he sure seems to get his share of gigs and calls, including those from Kenny Wheeler, Dave Liebman, Lee Konitz, Patti Austin, Bobby Previte, Brian Blade, and the Maria Schneider Orchestra. He regularly tours as a member of Grace Kelly’s band.

He has appeared on over fifity CDs, and as a leader, he has showcased his abilities at straight-ahead, post-bop, avant garde, Latin, and jazz-rock fusion. Range is his latest CD, the follow up to McCann's previous critically-acclaimed releases, Extra Mile (Nineteen-Eight), Most Folks (Omnitone), Parable and You Remind Me of Someone (both on Palmetto). For this release, he has put together a cast of some of New York City's finest musicians; John O'Gallagher (alto sax), Henry Hey (piano, Rhodes and organ), Matt Clohesy (acoustic & electric bass) and Mark Ferber (drums).

In many ways his most personal CD, Range features his tributes to mentors and muses of his past, from Kenny Wheeler (“Kenny”) and Lee Konitz (“Rumble”) to Anton Webern (“Dyad Changes”) and Bill Frisell (“To the Mountains”). McCann pulls out all the stops on his solos here, which can range from dancing lines to driving rock chords.

Podcast 495 is out conversation, as Pete talks about the new CD, his time with Wheeler, Konitz and Grace Kelly, and his current tour plans. Musical selections include “Kenny” , “Rumble” and “Mustard” from Range; “Something in the Way She Moves” from Melissa Stylianou’s Silent Movie; and “Kiss Away Your Tears“ from Grace Kelly’s Live at Scullers.