BIOGRAPHY

Dave Pietro is a renowned saxophonist, composer, and educator based in New York City since 1987. He has performed in over 30 countries and is a longtime member of the GRAMMY®-winning Maria Schneider Orchestra, as well as GRAMMY®-nominated groups Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society and the Gil Evans Project. From 1994–2016, he played lead alto sax with the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra.

Pietro has worked with numerous jazz greats and legends across genres, including Maynard Ferguson, Lionel Hampton, Harry Connick Jr., Ray Charles, and David Bowie. As a leader, he has released 11 albums. His recent projects Satori (2025) and The Talisman (2024, SteepleChase) have received critical acclaim for their artistry and innovation.

Past albums like Hypersphere, New Road: Iowa Memoirs, and Embrace: Impressions of Brazil have been lauded for their creativity and emotional depth. His Stevie Wonder tribute album Standard Wonder was named one of the top jazz albums of 2001.

Pietro holds degrees from North Texas State University and NYU, where he is currently Director of Jazz Studies. A passionate educator, he has given workshops worldwide and is an artist for D’Addario, Conn-Selmer, and R.S. Berkeley.