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John Pittman

Featured on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's mini series "One to Watch", Toronto-based trumpeter/composer/educator John Pittman is in high demand as both a soloist and lead player on the jazz, commercial and salsa scenes because of his big sound, high energy and melodicism.. His playing has been described as having a “wide dynamic and emotional range" consisting of ideas that are “very unique” even when performing within more traditional contexts.

Pittman is the winner of several arts grants from the Canada Council for the Arts and Manitoba Arts Council as well as the 2006 -2007 Rayburn Wright Scholar and the 2007 Schirmer Prize winner for an outstanding performance major at the prestigious Eastman School of Music.

In Toronto, Pittman is featured on a regular basis as a member of The Heavyweights Brass Band, The Toronto Jazz Orchestra, The Lula All-Stars, Conjunto Lacalu, The Yani Borrell Orchestra, and The Chris Hunt Tentet.

Pittman has had the pleasure of performing/recording with such artists as Adonis Puentes, Jully Black, Byron Stripling, Wycliffe Gordon, Slide Hampton, Steve Kirby, Alvin Atkinson, Marian McPartland, Bill Dobbins, Peter Erskine, Rich Thompson, and Classic Albums Live. In addition, Pittman has had the opportunity to open for such varied artists as Herbie Hancock and Kool and The Gang.

An active educator and clinician, Pittman has taught at the Eastman School of Music, University of Manitoba and Silver Heights Collegiate. He has also served as a clinician/adjudicator throughout Canada and the United States. He currently teaches Instrumental Music at The Sterling Hall School in Toronto, Ontario.

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Album Review

The Composers Collective Big Band: The Toronto Project

Read "The Toronto Project" reviewed by Jack Bowers


The term Composers Collective is quite often a thinly veiled phrase that signifies “experimental" or “avant-garde" jazz. Thankfully, that is far from true on the Composers Collective Big Band's irrepressible The Toronto Project, which carries the listener on a buoyant and colorful musical journey through Canada's largest city, capital of the province of Ontario and home to a number of superb jazz musicians. True, there are some moments when the Collective veers from conservative to exploratory, but ...

1
Album Review

John Pittman: Kinship

Read "Kinship" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


The ineluctable charms of John Pittman's music may very well be connected to the sense of fellow feeling he projects on this, his debut album. For in these eight songs, the Canadian trumpeter promotes a sense of togetherness and unity that cuts not only to the title at hand, but also to the very core of his belief system. “Kinship" isn't just some umbrella term to stand beneath; it's Pittman's purpose, plain and simple. Opening with “Ties ...

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“He had the fire and enthusiasm of a young lion…. I hope you get to experience his artistry.” —Byron Stripling, Trumpet Performer/Artistic Director, Columbus Jazz Orchestra

“The band played a number of instrumentals, showcasing some great solo work from John Pittman.” —Chris Smith, Winnipeg Free Press

Primary Instrument

Trumpet

Location

Toronto

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

The Toronto Project

Self Produced
2023

buy

Kinship

Slammin' Media
2018

buy

This City

Slammin' Media
2018

buy

Brasstronomical

Slammin' Media
2014

buy

West Toronto Ode

From: The Toronto Project
By John Pittman

Moray Crossing

From: Kinship
By John Pittman

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