Harvey Pittel

Harvey Pittel
Born(1943-06-22)June 22, 1943
Los Angeles, California
OriginLos Angeles, California
Died2026 (aged 82–83)
Glendale, California
Education
GenresClassical, studio, all musical styles
OccupationsSaxophonist, educator
InstrumentSaxophones
Years active1963–present
LabelCentaur
Websitewww.harveypittel.com
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch
 United States Army
Service years
1968–1969
UnitWest Point Band

Harvey Pittel (June 22, 1943 – 2026) was an American saxophonist who performed 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

Early life and education

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.

Military service and early career

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 Joseph 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.

Performing and teaching career

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, San Diego State University, East Los Angeles College, and 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.

Students

Former students include: Dr Jeffrey Benedict (faculty, Department of Music, California State University, Los Angeles), Dr Dan Goble (Dean, School of Visual and Performing Arts, Western Connecticut State University; also plays with the Harvey Pittel Saxophone Quartet), Todd Oxford (faculty, School of Music, Texas State University, San Marcos) Steve Mohacey (US Army Bands), Dr. Jack Cooper (faculty, University of Memphis, School of Music), Vincent Gnojek (faculty, School of Music, University of Kansas), Roger Greenberg (Retired from University of Northern Colorado), James Rotter (Retired, California State University, Fullerton, University of Southern California Thornton School of Music), Robert Medina (Elision Saxophone Quartet), Todd Yukumoto (University of Hawaiʻi), Javier Oviedo (faculty, Western Connecticut State University), Dr. Paul Haar (University of Nebraska–Lincoln), Rami El-Farrah (Faculty, School of Music, University of Texas at San Antonio) Mace Hibbard (Georgia State University), Andrew Harrison (Sonoma State University) Jeremy Justeson (Kutztown University of Pennsylvania), Allen Won (faculty, The Mannes College for Music), William Graves, James Hairston, Debra McKim (Hastings College). Branford Marsalis and Kenny Garrett are among the most notable jazz saxophonists that have studied with Pittel.

Discography (selection)

References

  1. ↑ "Mahalo, Harvey Pittel (1943–2026)". Hawaii Saxophone Foundation. January 25, 2026. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  2. 1 2 "Pittel, Harvey". Baker’s Biographical Dictionary of Musicians. Gale. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Harvey Pittel". Colburn School. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  4. ↑ "West Point Band to Play Grainger Suite at Concert", The Reporter Dispatch, White Plains, New York, 52nd year, number 12, March 14, 1968, page 16. (subscription required)
  5. ↑ "The Saxophone: A Few Kind Words", The Fresno Bee, Fresno, California, volume 93, number 17054, February 15, 1970, page 4-C. (subscription required)
  6. ↑ California State University, Los Angeles Archived 2012-05-10 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 5 May 2012
  7. ↑ Western Connecticut State University Archived 2010-08-23 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 17 October 2010
  8. ↑ Texas State University, San Marcos. School of Music Archived 2010-06-21 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 17 October 2010
  9. ↑ University of Kansas, School of Music Archived 2010-08-18 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 17 October 2010
  10. ↑ The New School, The Mannes College for Music Archived 2010-08-23 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 17 October 2010