In the 1970s and early 1980s, Pickett led the horn section for Tower of Power, an innovative and funk band from the East San Francisco Bay area. He was also a frequent session band member that backed many musicians in multiple genres, from Elton John to musicians in the soul music, rhythm and blues, and funk music genres.[4] Tower of Power also released its own albums as a group.[1]
Pickett joined the Saturday Night Live Band in 1985[5] and has served as the band's musical director since G. E. Smith was fired during the cast exodus in 1995.
As a composer, Pickett has written for his group, the Borneo Horns, and has received a number of commissions to write works mixing classical and popular idioms for a variety of musical ensembles, including the New Century Saxophone Quartet, as well as music for theater and collaborations with dancers, poets and film-makers.
