Pedicin Back From an R&B; Detour

Most artists will tell you that when you make records that emphasize commercialism over artistic values, you’re usually sorry later. One is saxophonist Michael Pedicin Jr., a solid soloist with a rich tone and an approach that blends emotionalism with intellect.

The Philadelphia native, who plays Thursday at the Atlas Bar & Grill and next Friday and Saturday at Jax in Glendale, began his career as a mainstream player and has toured with both Maynard Ferguson and Dave Brubeck.

But he took another road in the mid-’70s when he began working at Philadelphia International Records as session musician, adding tenor sax solos to soul and R&B; records by such artists as the Spinners, the O’Jays and Teddy Pendergrass.

Pedicin’s debut album, a 1980 effort on P.I., was R&B-oriented; and “far from what I wanted to do,” he said. Two recent follow-ups on Los Angeles-based Optimism Records, weren’t much better, he felt.

“I was playing stronger before I started playing R&B; than I am now,” said Pedicin, 46, who has only recently returned to his old straight-ahead style.

“I’m coming back, but it will take a little while.”

Pedicin said he’s getting back on track with “You Don’t Know What Love Is,” which he’s released on his own FEA label. “I’m somewhat happy with this,” he said. “Some of the tracks capture what I do.”

Rebirth of the ‘Cool’? Gerry Mulligan, the renowned baritone saxophonist, has re-recorded much of the material from the classic Miles Davis 1949-50 “Birth of the Cool” album, on which he performed and served as composer-arranger. The new album, to be released by GRP Records in May, features two other original “Birth” participants: pianist John Lewis and tuba player John (Bill) Barber. Wallace Roney will be the featured trumpeter, and Phil Woods will appear on alto sax.

Rim Shots: Drummer Ndugu Chancler will conduct a free clinic Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. at the California Afro-American Museum, 600 State Drive, Exposition Park. . . .

“Gentle Thoughts,” “Sugar Loaf Express” and “Friendship,” three late ‘70s albums by guitarist Lee Ritenour that have previously been available only as imports, are now being released in the United States by JVC Jazz. The jazz/fusion albums feature such notables as saxman Ernie Watts and pianist Dave Grusin. . . .

“The Jazz Idiom: An Instrumental View” is a UCLA Extension class that combines lecture-demonstrations with trips to area nightclubs. The class, taught by Charles M. Weisenberg, meets Thursdays, 7 to 10 p.m., through June 4. . . .

Singer Pinky Winters and pianist Lou Levy, who appear tonight at 8 at the Bel Age Hotel in West Hollywood, just returned from Holland where they each recorded five selections with the Dutch Metropole orchestra for airplay on Dutch radio.