Pete has been an active New York City-based jazz trombonist, composer-arranger and vocalist since 1987. He has performed as trombonist with such groups as The Woody Herman Orchestra, Lionel Hampton, Jimmy Heath, The Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra, and appears on numerous jazz CDs. His new big band, The Pete McGuinness Jazz Orchestra, performs regularly in the NYC area. The band’s debut CD "First Flight" was released nation-wide in June 2007 on Summit Records label to much critical acclaim and radio airplay, and includes Pete’s GRAMMY nominated arrangement of the Charlie Chaplin’s classic song "Smile".

Pete has been awarded numerous commission grants to compose original works, including awards from the NEA, and has had his music performed by Dave Liebman, Marvin Stamm, the Lionel Hampton Orchestra, and The Westchester Jazz Orchestra. He also is a past semi-finalist of the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition for vocalists. Pete is currently Professor of Jazz Arranging at William Paterson University, and is a clinician for Conn-Selmer band instrument company. He has been a visiting performer/clinician at college and high school jazz programs throughout the nation.