Craig Pedersen is trumpet player, composer and educator based out of Montréal. An active freelance musician specializing in jazz and free music, he also performs commercial, classical and klezmer music. He actively leads his own band, the Craig Pedersen Quartet/Quintet, and plays in the collaborative ensembles Dusk Scored Dark, and Sound of the Mountain.

Since 2011, Craig has released nine albums, ranging between composed material to improvisation, through jazz, free music, country, and klezmer, in a variety of ensembles. Recent highlights of his work have included collaborations and/or performances with Joe Morris, Pauline Oliveros, Jean Derome, Joane Hetu, Lori Freedman, Nicolas Caloia, Ian Birse and Laura Kavanaugh (Instant Places), Elizabeth Millar (Sound of the Mountain), Norm Adams, Shayna Dulberger, Karen Ng, Vicky Mettler, Bennett Bedoukian and Mark Molnar, as well as recording on the soundtrack for Robert Lepage’s Needles and Opium, and performances at L’Off Festival du Jazz and FONT Canada. His method book exploring extended techniques for the trumpet, Trumpet Sound Effects, was published by Berklee Press and Hal Leonard in November of 2014.

*Photo by Karol Orzechowski

What people are saying about the quartet:

“Perfect and much enjoyed, even if a bit tragic” – Massimo Corvi, Greece

“Great show at the Musideum! Love the tunes and the tones.” – Dave Clark (Woodshed Orchestra), Toronto

“I was glad to get and hear your group again.  I like the CD very much, it is living in my car stereo just now.  The Ghosts tune really grows on me. Keep on swingin’, or whatever you want to call it!” David Fraser, Ottawa

“As for your performance… facemelter! What a great show!” – Aaron Sennitt, Guelph ON