Michael Pendowski

DMA - Eastman School of Music, Jazz and Contemporary Media

MM - Northwestern University, Conducting

BM - Northwestern University, Music Education

Dr. Michael Pendowski is Assistant Professor of Saxophone and the Director of the Jazz Program at Auburn University. His career has encompassed a wide variety of musical styles and venues. He is a prominent composer in the educational field, writing for the full spectrum of ensembles available in today's schools and universities. His film projects have included the restoration of Orson Welles "Othello," "Dead Presidents," "Our Father," and "Groundhog Day." In addition, he has composed, arranged, and produced over a dozen albums and has scored for off-Broadway productions, as well as animated features including the "Getting to Know the Artist" Series. This video collection (Rembrandt, DaVinci, & Michelangelo) won the American Library Video award. Dr. Pendowski has scored works for The Four Freshmen, Peter Cetera, Doc Severinsen and most recently for Jake Shimabukuro. He has written and produced music for hundreds of TV and radio commercials, and his work has won numerous awards including two Golden Lions and an Eddy. He also wrote original soundtracks to the John Madden Football and NCAA Football and Basketball games created by Electronic Arts, and music for Topp’s “Walking Dead” video game. His music has been recorded and performed on five continents. He has worked extensively as a freelance performer, appearing with Natalie Cole, Johnny Mathis, Aretha Franklin, Carol Lawrence, Louis Bellson, George Shearing, Ray Charles, The Four Freshmen, and The Jazz Orchestra of America.