To open the concert, Pietro played with the Amherst College Jazz Ensemble and Combos. At a performance clinic earlier that afternoon, the Combos played for Pietro and pianist David Berkman, who critiqued them.
Pietro played the rest of the concert with his own New York City-based group, featuring Peter McCann on guitar, Berkman on piano, John Ebert on bass and Mark Ferber on drums. They performed the music of Stevie Wonder from their Standard Wonder collection.
Originally from Southboro, Mass., Pietro is a renowned saxophonist, composer and educator. He has given hundreds of workshops at schools across the country and has performed at jazz clubs and festivals, schools and concert halls in more than 30 countries. Pietro currently works for Hofstra and New York Universities as an adjunct professor.
Pete and J, two alumni musical guests, also performed. The duo, consisting of former Zumbye members Pete Harper ’05 and Jason Blynn ’04, is based in New York City and tours nationally.
Bruce Diehl, Director of the Amherst College Jazz Ensemble, deemed the concert a success. “We thank the Music Department and the Lecture Committee, as well as Jazz@Amherst, for their help in this … successful concert and fundraising experience.”