Saxophonist Pietro to Perform with Wyoming Jazz Ensemble Thursday

February 11, 2013
Man holding saxophone
Dave Pietro will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, in the UW Arts and Sciences auditorium.

Dave Pietro, an internationally known saxophonist, composer and educator will perform with the Wyoming Jazz Ensemble Thursday, Feb. 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the University of Wyoming Arts and Sciences auditorium.

Tickets cost $7 for the public and $5 for students and senior citizens. To purchase tickets, visit the Fine Arts or Wyoming Union box offices or visit the website at http://uwyo.edu/finearts.

Pietro has performed at a variety of jazz clubs, jazz festivals, schools and concert halls in more than 30 countries. He has played lead alto saxophone and recorded six CDs with the Toshiko Akiyoshi jazz orchestra and has released an additional six CDs with various well-known musicians.

He has toured 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.

All About Jazz described Pietro’s fifth CD “Embrace: Impressions of Brazil” as a “triumph, one of the most satisfying Brazilian jazz mixed since the first bossa nova tsunami.”

Pietro was selected as a semifinalist for the first two Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz International Saxophone competitions and was a finalist in the 1995 JAZZIZ Magazine "Woodwinds on Fire" talent search. In 1996 he received a National Endowment for the Arts grant and has received additional recognition.

He received a master's degree in jazz composition from New York University where he is an assistant professor of jazz studies.

Scott Turpen, UW professor of music and director of jazz studies, will direct the Wyoming Jazz Ensemble, UW’s premiere big band. The ensemble regularly earns the highest ratings at national jazz festivals.

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