Peter Whitman
''Virtuoso saxophones have a beautiful focus with a complex sound! Finally, a new horn with soul!''
Saxophonist Pete Whitman began his professional music career during the late 1970s in Kansas City, Missouri playing in jazz clubs and gigging with the likes of trumpet great Carmel Jones, guitarist Steve Cardenas and pianist Steve Million. In the early 1980s, Whitman moved to Denton, Texas to pursue a degree in music at North Texas State University. While pursuing his studies, Whitman joined the Pete Peterson Collection; a Dallas based big band with which he had the opportunity to back up such renowned acts as Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra Jr., and the Temptations. Whitman also began gigging and recording with R&B great Al T.N.T. Braggs who was best known for his hit Share Your Love With Me.
In 1986, Whitman went on the road with the Glenn Miller Orchestra touring the United States, Iceland, Japan and Brazil. In 1988 he moved to St. Paul, MN where he became well established as a saxophonist, composer, arranger and bandleader.
Since 1988, Whitman has performed with such varied and distinguished ensembles and musicians as the Minnesota Orchestra, Michael Feinstein, Debbie Boone, Rosemary Clooney, Jack McDuff, Barbara Dennerlein, Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, Dave Stryker, Curtis Fuller, the Woody Herman Orchestra, Andres Prado, Laura Caviani and the Hornheads. He has also recorded extensively as a sideman and has three CDs out under his name: Departure Point on Igmod Records, The Sound of Water and Where’s When, both on the Artegra label. His latest CD, Where’s When, features the X-tet, a ten piece ensemble led by Whitman which was named among the top 20 best locally produced CDs by the Minneapolis Star and Tribune (Jan.2, '04) and received a four star rating by Downbeat Magazine (Feb.'04). He has also composed numerous compositions, including an original score for the documentary Been Rich All My Life ('06) by Toots Crackin’ Productions.
Whitman received his bachelor’s and master’s degree in music from North Texas State University, majoring in jazz studies and minoring in flute performance. A dedicated teacher, Whitman heads the Brass & Woodwinds Department at McNally Smith College in St. Paul, Minnesota and is very active as an educator and clinician.