Dave Pietro

Biography         A native of Southboro, Massachusetts, Dave Pietro has been on the New York jazz scene since 1987. He was the lead alto saxophonist for the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra from 1994-2003, recording six CD's with the band during this time. He has also toured and/or recorded with the bands of Woody Herman, Lionel Hampton, Maynard Ferguson, Maria Schneider, The Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, John Fedchock, Jim Widner and many other ensembles. Dave has worked in the orchestras of dozens of different Broadway musicals and has played at jazz clubs, jazz festivals and concert halls in more than 30 countries throughout Asia, Australia, Europe, North and South America. Pietro has also performed with many other well known bands and musicians including: Paul Anka, Louis Bellson, Blood Sweat & Tears, Bobby Caldwell, Ray Charles, Rosemary Clooney, Harry Connick Jr., Michael Feinstein, Liza Minnelli and

John Pizzarelli. In addition, he studies East Indian music and performs in tabla artist Sandip Burman's group "East Meets Jazz". Dave was selected as a semi-finalist for the first two Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz International Saxophone Competitions (1991 & 1996) and was a finalist in the 1995 JAZZIZ Magazine "Woodwinds on Fire" talent search. In 1996 he was the recipient of a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and in 2002 he was selected as runner-up in the Second Annual Jazzconnect.com International Jazz Competition. Dave's first two CD's "Forgotten Dreams" (A-Records 1996) and "Wind Dance" (A-Records 1998) which both feature Dave Holland, on bass, Kenny Werner on piano, and Bill Stewart on drums each received excellent reviews and much critical acclaim. His third CD "Now Becoming Then" (A-Records 1999) which features drummer Brian Blade, bassist Scott Colley and trumpeter Scott Wendholt among others is a "rich feast for listeners" according to Bill Bennett of Jazz Times magazine. Dave's fourth CD "Standard Wonder-The Music of Stevie Wonder" was voted one of the top 10 jazz CD's of 2001 by Bob Blumenthal of the Boston Globe and received 4 stars from Downbeat magazine. Pietro holds a bachelor's degree in music education from North Texas State University where he toured and recorded four albums with the school's One O'clock Lab Band. He also holds a masters degree in jazz composition from New York University. Currently he is an adjunct faculty member for the City College of New York, Hofstra University, New York University and Long Island University (CW Post Campus). For his latest CD Embrace, Dave counted with the cream of the crop of Brazilian Jazz musicians. Paulo Braga, Nilson Matta, Sérgio Brandão, Duduka Da Fonseca, Helio Alves and Valtinho Anastacio amongst other great musicians participated on this recording.