Jess Jurkovic and Pedro Giraudo

Piano/bass jazz duo

Both Jess Jurkovic and Pedro Giraudo are exciting performers each in his own right, as well as in the various ensembles they lead. As a duo, they have an extraordinary musical rapport, and create a special kind of magic — a perfect balance of harmony and rhythm. Their repertoire ranges from all the jazz standards, to original compositions by each, as well as many types of Latin and popular music.

About Jess Jurkovic

Jess received his Bachelor of Music degree in 1996 from the University of Minnesota, then moved to New York City to study at Manhattan School of Music, where he received his Master’s degree in Jazz and Commercial Music in 1998. His first recording was “the art department” (2000) with a jazz quartet he formed with percussionist Greg Beyer. Next came “Blue and Violet” (2001), a duo recording with Pedro Giraudo. Jess is an integral member of the Pedro Giraudo Jazz Orchestra, the Leonisa Ardizzone Quintet, and Justin Hines and the Headphones.

Jess has performed in venues such as Birdland, the Jazz Standard, Symphony Space, Town Hall, and Weill Recital Hall (Carnegie Hall). He is on the piano faculty at Larchmont Music Academy. He has also worked with Cherry Lane Music Co. as a freelance writer and editor; his book Keyboard Warm-up Techniques was published in 2006. Jess’s newest recording is a solo piano effort, Two Hands, Vol. 1.

About Pedro Giraudo

Originally from Córdoba Argentina, Pedro Giraudo moved to New York City in 1996. Since then he has become an in-demand bass player and arranger working in a great variety of musical projects. He has performed professionally with Pablo Ziegler, Kenny Garrett (Miles Davis), Marco Granados, William Cepeda (Dizzy Gillespie), Chris Washburn, Hector Del Curto and Eternal Tango; and recorded with Fernando Otero’s X-Tango, Marta Topferova, Jose Conde, Lucia Pulido, Mo’Guajiro & Jess Jurkovic. Pedro has participated in various Jazz and Music Festivals throughout the United States, Europe, South America, the Caribbean and Asia and performed in venues such as The Blue Note (Japan), Birdland (Vienna), Kennedy Center (Washington DC), Iridium, Jazz Standard, Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall (New York City).

Pedro is leader/composer/arranger/bassist for the Pedro Giraudo Big Band, a 16-piece band that is being hailed as one of the most creative and original ensembles on the jazz scene today.