John Pietaro

JOHN PIETARO: spoken word artist and percussionist - drum kit, conga, bongos, glockenspiel, frame drums, vibraphone, numerous small percussives; doubles include vocals, guitar.

-THE RED MICROPHONE free jazz/poetry quartet with John Pietaro (poetry/percussion), Ras Moshe (reeds, flute), Rocco John Iacovone (reeds), Laurie Towers (electric bass). CDs: 'Amina Baraka & the Red Microphone' (ESP-Disk 2017); 'The Red Microphone Speaks!' (Dissident Arts 2013); "Brecht Breakdown" on IFAR Compilation "The Beat Sounds from Way Out" (IFAR, UK, 2012)

-FLAMES OF DISCONTENT post-punk/neo-Beat duo with John Pietaro (poetry/electric guitar/vocals/percussion) and Laurie Towers (electric bass)

-THE DISSIDENT ARTS ORCHESTRA, a large improvisatory ensemble with a roving line-up performing silent film scores often synced by New Allied Artists Studio, UK.

Pietaro has often performed with RAS MOSHE's various ensembles and was a member of KARL BERGER'S IMPROVISERS ORCHESTRA over its first six years (performances at the original Stone, the Jazz Gallery, El Taller). Collaborations with Matt Lavelle ('Harmolodic Monk'), Cheryl Pyle, poet Erika Dagnino, others. He has performed for Jazz and New Music events throughout the NYC area, sharing the stage over the years with Allen Ginsberg, Karl Berger, Warren Smith, Amiri and Amina Baraka, Daniel Carter, Blaise Siwula, Fred Ho, Salim Washington, Ken Filiano, Jason Hwang, Matt Lavelle, Elodie Lauten, Maryanne de Prophetis, Chris Forbes and Dave Ross, among many others. Other projects include Radio NOIR, which released a 4-song EP, 'The Lost Broadcast' (2011).

Pietaro is the founder and director of the annual Dissident Arts Festival, and has spoken on revolutionary culture at Left Forum, the Vision Festival, Workers Unite Film Festival and other venues. He holds an MA in Music Education and Music Performance (percussion) and a BA in Music Therapy; he also studied at Karl Berger’s Creative Music Studio.

Gear

Ludwig drumkit w/K Zildjian cymbals, Musser orchestra bells, Meinl congas, Pearl bongos, multiple frame drums from 4" - 22", wind chimes, flex-a-tone, slide whistle, tambourine, temple blocks, agogo bells, shakers, various bells/jingles, lion's roar, percussion rack with cowbells, woodblocks, triangles

Tags

John Pietaro Writer Jazz Poetry NYC Jazz Record Flames of Discontent the Red Microphone Jazz Journalists Association drummer percussionist social justice music percussion

"Excellent vibraphonist; agile and expressive"-'NYC JAZZ RECORD'* * * * * * * "In addition to his vibraphone chops, Pietaro is a fine percussionist, adding tasteful accents on a range of instruments including congas and bodhrán"-ALL ABOUT JAZZ* * * * * * *"Pietaro creates liquid moments into which the music flows without hesitation"-'MUSICZOOM' * * * * * * * "This music is moving me like nothing else I've mastered in years; I fucking love it!"-KRAMER,celebrated downtown musician/producer * * * * * * * "Pietaro professes the most radical views on art and also belongs to the circle of brilliant masters of avant-garde jazz"-JAZZ QUAD (Russian jazz blog)