Pete

Eau Claire-born Pete McCann has made quite a name for himself. As part of the New York jazz scene for the past 20 years, McCann has released four albums (Extra Mile 2009, Most Folks 2007, You Remind Me of Someone 2000, The Other Side of Ellington 1999, and Parable 1998) and received wide praise from top jazz critics. While reviewing Extra Mile, his latest, The New York Times stated, “Mr. McCann is a guitarist with appealingly eclectic tastes, ranging from classically derived acoustic music to a strain of contemporary fusion.” Portland Herald Press said of Most Folks, “This and virtually every tune offered during the performance revealed McCann to be a songwriter of considerable gifts.” After leaving Eau Claire, McCann studied at the University of North Texas, where he received a music degree in 1989. He then moved to New York, where he created his own groups and then proceeded to work alongside such jazz greats as Kenny Wheeler, Dave Liebman, Lee Konitz, Kenny Garrett, Peter Erskine, Gary Thomas, Greg Osby, Brian Blade, and the Maria Schneider Orchestra. Currently, McCann lives in New Jersey with his family, and teaches guitar in New York City at The New School and City College. In addition, he teaches at the NYU Summer Guitar Intensive and the Maine Jazz Camp. He also seems like a welcomed addition for Eau Claire Jazz Fest (hint, hint).