Jazz saxophonist Michael Pedicin, Jr. was born on July 29, 1947, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. The son of jazz saxophonist and band leader Mike Pedicin (best known for his 1957 hit “Shake a Hand”), Michael Pedicin, Jr. began playing saxophone at the age of eight and joined his first band when he was 15. His skills at playing the alto, tenor, and soprano saxophones and his ability to read music made him an in-demand session payer. Spending a lot of time at Sigma Sound Studios, he eventually found himself signed to Philadelphia International Records. His sole album from the label, Michael Pedicin, Jr., was released in 1979 and was not successful. He relocated to Atlantic City, New Jersey and began to perform at the casinos while also touring with Dave Brubeck’s band. He released his second album, City Song, in 1987 while also promoting major jazz acts and serving as the musical director for three separate casinos. Further albums include Angles (1989), You Don’t Know What Love Is (1991), Everything Starts Now… (2007), Ballads… Something for Peace (2011), and As It Should Be: Ballads 2 (2017). Over the course of his career, Michael Pedicin, Jr. has taught at Philadelphia’s University of the Arts and Temple University. He himself earned a Ph.D. in psychology in 2002 and currently has his own practice while also keeping busy with his music career.
