NYU Jazz sax faculty member and a native of Southboro, Massachusetts, Dave Pietro has been on the New York jazz scene since 1987. He was the lead alto saxophonist for the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra from 1994-2003, recording six CD's with the band during this time. He has also toured and/or recorded with the bands of Woody Herman, Lionel Hampton, Maynard Ferguson, Maria Schneider, The Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, John Fedchock, Jim Widner and many other ensembles. Dave has worked in the orchestras of dozens of different Broadway musicals and has played at jazz clubs, jazz festivals and concert halls in more than 30 countries throughout Asia, Australia, Europe, North and South America.

Dave has also performed with many other well known bands and musicians including: Paul Anka, Louis Bellson, Blood Sweat & Tears, Bobby Caldwell, Ray Charles, Rosemary Clooney, Harry Connick Jr., Michael Feinstein, Liza Minnelli and John Pizzarelli. In addition, he studies East Indian music and performs in tabla artist Sandip Burman's group "East Meets Jazz". Dave was selected as a semi-finalist for the first two Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz International Saxophone Competitions (1991 & 1996) and was a finalist in the 1995 JAZZIZ Magazine "Woodwinds on Fire" talent search. In 1996 he was the recipient of a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and in 2002 he was selected as runner-up in the Second Annual Jazzconnect.com International Jazz Competition.