Wayne Pedzwater

Wayne Pedzwater, 48, a New Kensington native, renowned bass player and fixture on the New York session scene for 25 years, passed away at home, surrounded by family and friends after a long and courageous battle with stomach cancer.

Wayne graduated from Valley High School in 1974 and then attended Berklee College of Music. His career began right from Berklee when Buddy Rich heard him play and tapped him to be the bass player for the Buddy Rich Orchestra. Eventually, Wayne became a soloist with the band, performing all over the world and on national television. In 1980, he moved to New York City to join the legendary session scene recording with artists such as John Lennon and Yoko Ono on the "Milk & Honey" album, Jeff Beck and Robert Plant as one of the Honey Drippers, Terence Trent D'Arby, The Rolling Stones and Michael Jackson. Wayne also toured with artists such as Blood, Sweat & Tears, Paul Simon and Bette Midler to name just a few. His extraordinary talent and musical diversity made him a favorite choice with artists as varied as Garth Brooks, Placido Domingo, Jimmy Webb, David Sanborn, Paul Schaffer, Carole King and Jewel among many others. His bass playing can also be heard on hundreds of commercials, television shows and movie soundtracks.

In addition to his musical talent, Wayne loved the outdoors and was an avid cyclist, averaging 10,000 miles a season.

He leaves his wife, Patty Forbes-Pedzwater of New York; his mother, Loretta Polczynski of New Kensington; his sister, Paula Johnson of Virginia; his nieces and nephews as well as his extended family and countless friends.

A funeral mass will be held Monday, March 21, 2005 at 10:00 am at St. Joseph's, 1125 Leishman Avenue, New Kensington, by Father Larry J. Kulick. In lieu of flowers, Wayne asked that donations be made to The Lance Armstrong Foundation, 1221 South Mopac Expressway Suite 320 Austin, TX 78746 www.laf.org.