Northwestern High School Jazz Festival on March 1st #Jazz #rockhill #winthrop

Saxophonist Dave Pietro and the Dave Pietro Group will perform at the 12th Annual Jazz Discovery Music Festival on Saturday, March 1st, at 7:30 pm in the Northwestern High School Auditorium in Rock Hill.  His talents as a gifted saxophonist, composer, and educator have made him an in-demand musician who has performed at jazz clubs, jazz festivals, schools and concert halls in more than 30 countries throughout Asia, Australia, Europe, North and South America. From 1994-2003 Dave played lead alto saxophone and recorded six CD’s 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 many 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.  Also appearing on the concert will be the Winthrop University Jazz Ensemble with guest soloist Will Campbell from the University of North Carolina Charlotte. 

Mr. Pietro will also perform with the Northwestern High School Senior Jazz Ensemble at 3:00 and along with the members of the Dave Pietro Group will present free instrument clinics starting at 3:45.  The festival includes performances by high school and middle school bands from across the North and South Carolina throughout the day as well as a performance by the All-Star Special and a student jam session at noon.  All the school performances and clinics are free and open to the public. Contact Mark Yost if you are interested in attending the evening performance.