John Fedchock

By: Marcos Gomez

About Fedchock
John Fedchock was on born September 18, 1957 in Cleveland, Ohio.
He is an American jazz trombonist, bandleader, and arranger.
He began playing at 9 years old.
He was influenced by Tommy Dorsey, Urbie Green, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gilespie, JJ Johnson, Bill Watrous, and Frank Rosolino.
Ketchup studied at Ohio State University and the Eastman School of Music.
He was a part of Woody Hermans Thundering Herd in the early 80s
He is the bandleader of the New York Big Band
John Fedchocks Beginnings

John Fedchock started playing the trombone at the early age of 9 in his schools concert band.
During highchool, Fedchock developed a love for marching band and for the trombone.
His uncle noticed this and gifted him records by Tommy Dorsey.
He decided that he was serious about the trombone and asked his parent if they would buy him his own.
They agreed and offered to pay for trombone lessons.
Fedchock studied mostly with jazz musicians which sprouted his love for jazz
In highschool, Woody Hermans Thundering Herd went to his school as clinicians
This was when Fedchock decided that he wanted to be a jazz musician and play trombone in Woody Hermans Thundering Herd.
Dawn of John Fedchocks Career

Johns love of music led him to Ohio State University to be in their great marching band program.
He was rejected by nearly every group in the school.
He then found a spot in a very low level concert and jazz band.
During this time he became a very good jazz trombonist in order to reach his goals.
He saw that many trombonist were being chosen from the Eastman School of Music to be a part of Woody Hermans band and he transferred there.
He was rejected, again, by nearly every group at the school but found a chair in a small concert band where he played 3rd trombone.
He continued to pursue jazz.
Woody Hermans Thundering Herd

John Fedchock began making connections in the local jazz scene.

One night he was watching a band that the lead trombonist of the Thundering Herd was playing in.
He confronted him and gave him his mixtape.
6 months later he was called in to play with the band.
He was brought in with open arms and was even given the nickname Tall John by Woody.
He was in the group for 7 years and he arranged various pieces for the band.
Some of these compositions were nominated for Grammies.
After he left he moved to New York.
John Fedchocks New York Big Band

When Fedchock moved to New York he was in various quintets and octets for 2 years until he decided to statrt a big band.
He found these musicians mostly from past experiences with these players.
Also, many people from Woody Hermans Thundering Herd joined his group.
Today, he also is a clinician, band leader, and Grammy-nominated jazz composer