Gerald Pinter

Jerry Pinter is a jazz saxophonist and educator whose career spans more than four decades of performing, recording, and teaching. A graduate of the University of North Texas (formerly North Texas State University), he recorded Lab ’79 with the One O’Clock Lab Band before embarking on an extensive professional career.

Pinter toured internationally for three years with Woody Herman’s Young Thundering Herd, recording three albums and earning two Grammy nominations. During this time the ensemble placed second only to Count Basie’s band in the DownBeat Readers’ Poll for Best Big Band. He has performed with celebrated vocalists including Tony Bennett, Joe Williams, Mel Tormé, Rosemary Clooney, Billy Eckstine, Anita O’Day, Cab Calloway, Frankie Laine, Nancy Wilson, Roberta Flack, and Jack Jones, and has appeared alongside guest soloists such as Stan Getz, Joe Lovano, Maynard Ferguson, Arturo Sandoval, Clark Terry, Joe Pass, Buddy DeFranco, Richard Stoltzman, Phil Woods, and many others.

Based in Southern California, Pinter has freelanced with ensembles including Joey Sellers Jazz Aggregation, Ron Stout Quintet, Carl Saunders Sextet and Big Band, Raoul Romero All-Star Big Band, Cecilia Coleman Quintet, Alan Ferber Septet, Jack Sheldon Orchestra, Steve Huffsteter Big Band, Mark Masters Jazz Orchestra, and numerous others. He has also appeared with Disneyland bands and toured with Woody Harrelson’s Manly Moondog & the Three Kool Kats.

Pinter’s discography includes more than 50 recordings as a sideman and soloist, as well as four co-produced albums, one of which features his own original compositions in a duo with guitarist Steve Cotter. His playing and compositions have been recognized in competitions such as the Cognac Hennessy Jazz Search, where he was a semifinalist with two different groups.

In addition to his performing career, Pinter is a dedicated educator. He teaches jazz saxophone at the University of California, Irvine, and Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, Calif. He has also been active as a clinician with the International Society of Bassists’ Young Bassists program and in schools and festivals nationwide.