Jazz with Jeff Duperon Host, Jeff Duperon Fridays, 6 to 10 pm   Playlist Search Host Bio Contact Tune in on Friday evenings to hear WRTI's signature jazz programming. And starting at 6:45 pm, Conversations with Jeff Duperon brings you views and news from some of today's most exciting jazz artists. FEATURED ON  CONVERSATIONS WITH JEFF DUPERON Jeff welcomed jazz artists and Philadelphia natives, Michael Pedicin, Jr. and Johnnie Valentino to his program in September. A consistent figure in contemporary instrumental music, tenor saxophonist and composer Michael Pedicin has always maintained a commitment to his roots. Pedicin has recorded and performed with many jazz and pop giants in the last three decades, including Maynard Ferguson, Dave Brubeck, Peter Erskine, Stanley Clarke, David Bowie, Stevie Wonder, Frank Sinatra, The Funk Brothers, Gino Vanelli, and Pat Martino. Since his younger days, Pedicin's playing has ripened to a sound that is familiar, challenging, innovative, and full of the history of the great jazz tenor saxophonists...without compromise or imitation. Jazz guitarist Johnnie Valentino grew up in a South Philadelphia neighborhood filled with a history of jazz guitarists that began with 1920s legend Eddie Lang, continuing up to today with jazz guitarist Pat Martino. Johnnie studied guitar privately as a young man with Dennis Sandole, Joe Sgro, and Pat Martino. Also during that time, he studied composition at Rutgers University while performing at local clubs and  recording for Philly World Records. In 1984, Johnnie relocated to Los Angeles where he is currently composing, writing, scoring, performing, and sound designing for TV, films, and recordings.