Bio

Chris Pitts – sax

“A saxophonist deeply immersed in the total jazz tradition.” JazzTimes

“It was the kind of music that makes one feel confident about the future of jazz.” The Detroit News

Detroit saxophonist Chris Pitts has called Manhattan, San Francisco, and Paris home before settling in the Boston region. He has performed at major jazz festivals and renowned clubs across North America and Europe, sharing the stage with jazz legends like Thad Jones, Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Foster, Clark Terry, Phil Woods, Regina Carter, James Carter, Betty Carter, Bob Hurst, Kenny Garrett, John Handy, and J.C. Heard. He’s also had the honor of opening for Ornette Coleman and Art Blakey.

In addition to his jazz credentials, Pitts has performed or recorded with iconic entertainers such as Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Gladys Knight, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Martha Reeves, Lou Rawls, and even President Bill Clinton. Pitts also produces concert series like the Newton Piano Summit and the Linda Plaut Newton Festival of the Arts.