DENTON (UNT), Texas -- University of North Texas College of Music alumni won in three categories at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards Monday night. Snarky Puppy is taking home their second Grammy Award, this year in the Best Contemporary Instrumental Album category for their work with Metropole Orkest. UNT College of Music alumnus Michael League is the bassist, composer and founder of the band Snarky Puppy. Among the other alumni who make up the band that has roughly two dozen rotating members are Nate Werth, percussion; Justin Stanton, trumpet and keyboards; Bob Lanzetti, guitar; Mike Maher, trumpet; Chris Bullock, tenor saxophone; Chris McQueen, electric guitar; and Jay Jennings, trumpet.
A photo of Snarky Puppy is available here.
Dave Pietro
Dave Pietro plays saxophone for the Maria Schneider Orchestra that won the Grammy Award in the Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album category. Pietro, who received his degree in music education from UNT, has been on the New York music scene since 1987. His talents as a gifted saxophonist, composer and educator have made him an in-demand musician who has performed in more than 30 countries throughout Asia, Australia, Europe, North and South America. He also has performed with such well known musicians as David Bowie, Ray Charles and Harry Connick Jr.
Dave Pietro's photo can be found here: http://www.davepietro.com/presskit
Marc Johnson
Marc Johnson, a jazz bass player and University of North Texas alumnus, took home the Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album for “Made in Brazil.” The album features Johnson as acoustic bassist while his wife, Brazilian jazz singer and pianist Eliane Elias, produced, composed, arranged and provided vocals for the album that was recorded in Brazil. Johnson played in the One O’Clock Lab Band while at UNT.
The 58th annual Grammy Awards were broadcast Monday, Feb. 15.
About the UNT College of Music
The College of Music is one of the largest and most respected comprehensive music schools in the world. pproximately 1,500 music students attend the college each year, participating in nearly 70 widely varied ensembles while engaged in specialized studies in performance, composition, conducting, jazz studies, music education, music history, music theory or ethnomusicology. Music students, alumni and faculty have made appearances on the world's finest stages, have produced numerous recordings with many receiving Grammy awards and nominations, and have written influential texts in a variety of areas in music scholarship. Distinguished University alumni can be found around the globe in top music ensembles, opera companies, universities, and schools.