John Petrucelli

John Petrucelli is a jazz saxophonist and composer who began the foundation for his musical career at age 11 in the night club scene in Trenton, New Jersey. He earned his MM in Jazz Studies at Rutgers University, studying with Ralph Bowen, Stanley Cowell, Charles Tolliver and Conrad Herwig.

Petrucelli performs monthly at Somethin' Jazz Club in NYC and throughout the tri-state area.

Critic Bill Milkowski describes tenor saxophonist John Petrucelli’s work as “flowing and intense... Petrucelli weds astounding technique to harmonic and rhythmic invention and a forceful sense of swing.”

In 2015 sees Petrucelli surging onto the jazz scene with his compelling debut album The Way, which will be released on February 3, 2015, featuring emerging jazz artists Peter Park (guitar), Victor Gould (piano), Alexander Claffy (bass) and Gusten Rudolph (drums) alongside legendary drummer Victor Lewis.

Gear

Super Balanced Action Tenor Saxophone Vandoren Reeds, 3.5 Ted Klum HR (prototype mp)

CD/LP/Track Review

Presence by Mike Jurkovic
Presence by Patrick Burnette
Presence by Dustin Mallory
The Way by Dan Bilawsky

“Emerging tenor star John Petrucelli had a fabulous long improv solo as the rest of the ensemble played the melody on an old up tempo arrangement of ʻBody and Soulʼ...” —Frank Mulvaney, Jersey Jazz February 2011 Issue.

Primary Instrument

Sax, tenor

Willing to teach

Intermediate to advanced

Credentials/Background

2010 Gerry Mulligan Excellence in Jazz Performance and Composition Award Graduate of the University of Virginia M.M Candidate Jazz Studies, Rutgers University Over 5 years teaching experience