Mario Pavone

Who is Mario Pavone?

Mario Pavone is an American jazz bassist.

He grew up in Waterbury, Connecticut and began performing in 1965. He was a member of Paul Bley's trio during 1968-72, and Bill Dixon's trio during the 1980s. He also performed with such musicians as Barry Altschul, Wadada Leo Smith, and Gerry Hemingway. Pavone recorded his first album as a leader in 1979, and has since recorded over a dozen albums under his name. In 1980 he began an 18 year musical relationship with saxophonist Thomas Chapin. Along with drummer Michael Sarin, the group recorded seven albums for Knitting Factory Records, which also released an eight-CD box set of these albums plus a live recording following Chapin's death in 1998. Pavone also co-led a group with Anthony Braxton in the early 1990s. Since Chapin's death, Pavone has led many of his own groups, performing widely throughout North America and Europe. He also co-led a group with Michael Musillami. His groups have included, among others: Michael Sarin, Matt Wilson, Gerald Cleaver, Peter Madsen, Joshua Redman, Tony Malaby, Dave Douglas, Steven Bernstein, George Schuller, Craig Taborn, and Jimmy Greene.