Dave Pietro

Who is Dave Pietro?

Dave Pietro is a saxophonist, woodwind artist, bandleader, sideman, composer and educator. A native of Southboro, Massachusetts, he has been on the New York City music scene since 1987.

From 1994-2003 Dave played lead alto saxophone and recorded six CDs with the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra. He has toured and/or recorded with the bands of Woody Herman, Lionel Hampton, Maynard Ferguson, Maria Schneider, The Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, John Fedchock, Mike Holober, Anita Brown, Pete McGuinness, Jim Widner and Arturo O'Farrill. Pietro has also performed with may other well known musicians such as Paul Anka, Louis Bellson, Blood Sweat & Tears, Bobby Caldwell, Ray Charles, Rosemary Clooney, Harry Connick Jr., Michael Feinstein, Chaka Khan, Liza Minnelli, James Naughton and John Pizzarelli. Dave also studies East Indian music and has performed with various groups led by Indian tablist Sandip Burman.

As a leader, Dave has released six CDs with musicians such as Dave Holland, Kenny Werner, Ben Monder, Bill Stewart, Brian Blade, Scott Colley, Scott Wendholt, Duduka De Fonseca, Helio Alves and Pete McCann. Now Becoming Then was called a "rich feast for listeners" by Bill Bennett of Jazz Times. Standard Wonder-The Music of Stevie Wonder was voted one of the top 10 jazz CDs of 2001 by Bob Blumenthal of the Boston Globe and Bill Milkowski of Jazz Times and received 4 stars from Downbeat magazine. Pietro's fifth CD Embrace: Impressions of Brazil "is a triumph ... one of the most satisfying Brazilian jazz mixes since the first bossa nova tsunami" according to Judith Schlesinger of AllAboutJazz.com.