Pat Mallinger

Biography

Mallinger began studying the saxophone at age 11, and, when he turned 13, he decided he wanted to be a jazz musician. He was inspired by his father's cousin Tommy Bauer, a member of the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Mallinger recorded his first album, Happy Feet, at age 14. When he was 17 he became a part of the McDonald's All Star High School Jazz Band in Minnesota where he began playing with jazz pianist Bill Carrothers.

In 1982 Mallinger went to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire for a year and spent a summer in Los Angeles performing at Disneyland in the All American College Band. He spent his next three years at the University of North Texas with a One O'Clock Lab Band Scholarship. Mallinger received his jazz studies degree in 1986.

Mallinger moved to Boston, Massachusetts in 1987 and began touring with the Artie Shaw Orchestra. During this time he performed in Osaka and Tokyo. In 1990 he to moved to Chicago, and, in the following year, he began tours with the Charles Earland Band and the Woody Herman Orchestra.

Throughout his career, Mallinger has performed with several notable musicians including Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Harry Connick Jr., Ramsey Lewis, Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway, Dave Brubeck, Jack McDuff, Joey DeFrancesco, Joe Lovano, Branford Marsalis, Joshua Redman, Lee Konitz, Slide Hampton, Randy Brecker, Doc Severinsen, Roy Hargrove, Nicholas Payton, and Vince Welnick.

Teaching

Since 1994, Mallinger has served as the saxophone jazz mentor in the Ravinia Jazz Mentor Program. The program, founded by Ramsey Lewis, mentors city youth through jazz performance and clinics in Chicago Public schools. Mallinger also works with the Louis Armstrong Legacy Project and Celebration program created by Jon Faddis.

Discography