Mahalo, Harvey Pittel (1943-2026)

The Hawaii music community mourns the passing of renowned saxophonist Harvey Pittel. His connection with Hawaii began in 1969, when he first toured the islands with the West Point Saxophone Quartet—Harvey Pittel, Marshall Taylor, Roger Greenberg, and Emmett Yoshioka. Musicians and educators alike were struck by the beauty of his tone and his extraordinary technical facility, marking the beginning of a lifelong bond between Pittel and Hawaii.

Over the years, Pittel was frequently called upon as a soloist throughout the islands, beginning with performances alongside the McKinley High School band and orchestra. He was featured twice as a guest soloist with the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra and appeared in countless performances and masterclasses over the decades.

Pittel’s influence spanned four generations of saxophonists who studied with him, including Emmett Yoshioka, Kazu Sunabe, Allen Won, Gary Nakamura, Todd Yukumoto, and Daniel Oshiro. His teaching has left a deep and lasting imprint on the music education and artistic growth of Hawaii’s saxophonists.

In September 2025, Pittel gave his final concert in Hawaii. We pay homage to one of the world’s foremost saxophonists and extend our heartfelt gratitude for the beautiful music he shared with us all.

We wish him a fond Aloha ʻOe.