John Patitucci

Biography

John James Patitucci was born in Brooklyn, New York, on December 22, 1959. When he was 12 he bought his first bass and decided on his career. 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. For the development of rhythm, he points to the time he has spent with Danilo Pérez, a Grammy-winning pianist from Panama.

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 Electrik Band, the Acoustic 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. On various occasions he played with Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and Roy Haynes. Patitucci switches between acoustic and electric bass.

He was the artistic director of the Bass Collective, a school for bassists in New York City, and he 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 launched the Online Jazz Bass School. He was appointed artist in residence at Berklee College of Music.

Award and honors

Back in Brooklyn

Back in Brooklyn, is a 2015 documentary by August Sky Films. Directed by Patrick Cone, the film features footage from rehearsals, studio sessions, and live performances, following the creation of Patitucci's 2014 album Brooklyn. Featured interviews include Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, and Wayne Shorter.

As sideman

With Karrin Allyson

With Joanne Brackeen

With Wayne Shorter

With Walt Weiskopf

Collaborations