Harvey Pittel

Harvey Pittel is an American saxophonist who performs principally in North America, and was the Professor of Saxophone at the University of Texas at Austin Sarah and Ernest Butler School of Music in the College of Fine Arts.

Biography

Harvey Pittel began his musical education in at the age of 7 at Clifford Street Elementary School in Los Angeles, California. Pittel pursued his undergraduate degree in Music Education at the University of Southern California. He pursued his Master of Music degree in Saxophone Performance under the tutelage of Fred Hemke at Northwestern University.
Pittel enlisted in the United States Army where he served for two years until 1969 and performed with the West Point Military Academy Band. He During this time he began further studies with Joe Allard of the Juilliard School. Just after leaving the West Point Band, Pittel won the Concert Artists Guild Competition and through this made his Carnegie Hall debut in 1971 playing to such acclamation he was re-presented by the same organization in 1973.
When Pittel's tour of duty was over he accepted a position as the saxophone teacher at University of Southern California. He also teaches at California State University, Fullerton, California State University, Long Beach, California State University, San Diego, East Los Angeles Junior College, and The University of Texas at Austin. He also tours with Harvey Pittel Duo, the Harvey Pittel Trio, and the Harvey Pittel Saxophone Quartet.
Along the way Pittel has been featured on a number of movie soundtracks, including Manhattan for Woody Allen, appeared as a guest on The Today Show, and been featured on Live From Lincoln Center. He has received numerous other awards including two Martha Baird Rockefeller Fund grants, and a National Endowment for the Arts Solo Recitalist grant.
Former students include:
Dr Jeffrey Benedict,
Dr Dan Goble,
Todd Oxford
Steve Mohacey, Dr. Jack Cooper,
Vincent Gnojek,
Roger Greenberg,
James Rotter,
Robert Medina,
Todd Yukumoto,
Javier Oviedo,
Dr. Paul Haar, Rami El-Farrah
Mace Hibbard,
Andrew Harrison
Jeremy Justeson,
Allen Won,
William Graves,
James Hairston,
Debra McKim.
Branford Marsalis and Kenny Garrett are among the most notable jazz saxophonists that have studied with Pittel.

Discography (selection)

Orion Sax Quartet - Orion Saxophone Quartet With Special Guest, Harvey Pittel
Contrasts
With Jupiter Symphony: Live In New York
With RCC Wind Ensemble: Shape Shifter
With University of Texas Saxophone Ensemble: Over The Rainbow and Bach Again
With University of Texas Saxophone Ensemble: Tex Sax Next Generation
With University of Texas Saxophone Ensemble: Tex Sax
Harvey Pittel Saxophone Quartet: It Might As Well Be Spring
With University of Texas Wind Ensemble: Husa/Maslanka Concertos
With University of Texas Wind Ensemble: At Carnegie Hall
La Linge, La Sonorite, A Tribute to Marcel Mule
With Louisville Symphony: Music of Paul Chihara
Harvey Pittel Saxophone Quartet: Live In Chicago
With Jeff Helmer; Moving Along
Bach and Noodles
With the New York Philharmonic: Pictures At An Exhibition
With Ry Cooder: Jazz
With Teresa Strata: Strata Sings Weill
Harvey Pittel Saxophone Quartet: A Little Night Music
Harvey Pittel with Louisville Symphony: Amram Ode to Lord Buckley
Harvey Pittel Saxophone Quartet: Don't You Remember The Time
Harvey Pittel with London Sinfonietta: Rodby Concerto
Harvey Pittel with Westwood Wind Quintet – re issued on CD Sextour a vent
Harvey Pittel Trio
Harvey Pittel Saxophone Quartet
''Harvey Pittel Plays Music for Alto and Soprano Saxophones''