Eliot Gattegno was born in South Florida and studied at the Interlochen Arts Academy, New England Conservatory (BM, MM), University of California (DMA) and Harvard University (Fellow). He is the recipient of several coveted prizes which include a 2001 Downbeat Award, the 2005 Tourjee Alumni Award of the New England Conservatory and the 2006 Emerging Artist Award of the St. Botolph Foundation. In August 2007, after a series of concerto performances with the Orquestra de Camara Theatro Sao Pedro and master classes and lectures at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Brasil, he was awarded a special citation for dedication to the Arts through cultural exchange from the Brazilian Government. In 2008, he became the first saxophonist and one of the few Americans to ever win the “Kranichsteiner Musikpreis” of the International Music Institute Darmstadt, widely considered the most prestigious prize for the interpretation of new music. In addition to these awards, he has received grants from the Fromm Foundation of Harvard University, Ernst von Siemmens Stiftung, Trust for Mutual Understanding and National Foundation for the Advancement in the Arts.

His repertoire ranges from the Baroque period to the contemporary and has performed and recorded many world premieres. In 2005, he performed and recorded Elliott Schwartz's “Chamber Concerto IV” with the Boston Modern Orchestra Project for release of BMOP/Sound. These performances led esteemed Boston Globe music critic Richard Dyer to declare, “there is no question the future of his instrument is in safe hands.” In 2006, he gave the North American Premiere of Luciano Berio’s “Recits” in Jordan Hall, later recording it for Mode Records. At the 2007 Spoleto Festival USA, he gave the North American Premiere of Pascal Dusapin's “To God” and several world premieres by Morton Feldman. In the Summer of 2011, he recorded his second album as a soloist with the Boston Modern Orchestra Project, this time with a concerto he co-commissioned by Pulitzer Prize winner Lewis Spratlan. Since the Spring of 2011, he has been performing an hour-long concerto by David Fulmer entitled "On Night". Thus far, performances have taken place at Lincoln Center, Symphony Space, Heidelberger Frühling Internationales Musikfestival, Moving Sounds Festival, Austrian Cultural Forum, Joyce Theater and Bohemian National Hall. In the Spring of 2012, he will record “On Night” with the Argento Ensemble for release on Tzadik Records. In the Fall of 2012, he will perform the work with the Slovenian Philharmonic under the direction of Matthias Pintscher.

“(Gattegno) combined technical finesse with a palpable commitment that made these formidable works approachable.”
-The New York Times

“There is no question the future of his instrument is in safe hands."
-The Boston Globe

“expert and lush performance.”
-The Los Angeles Times

“All eyes were on Eliot Gattegno, who in this opening piece immediately showed his excellent reputation to be justified. It was a performance worthy of the greatest admiration.”
-The Prague Post

“utterly superb, putting the music across with accuracy and flair.”
-New Music Connoisseur

"Performed expertly, with remarkable technical virtuosity"
-The Boston Musical Intelligencer

“...on top of [his] game”
-New Music Connoisseur

“he has superior chops backed up by assured musicianship"
-The Boston Globe

“It's sometimes the case that performers who choose to specialize in music emphasizing extended techniques and uncompromising aesthetics are attempting to hide certain flaws and ineptitudes in their playing. Eliot Gattegno is not that kind of performer. Throughout the album he demonstrates an undeniable command of his instrument and a keen imagination. But most importantly, he shows that he plays the music, not the saxophone.”
-New Music Box

“polished and tightly unified”
-The New York Times

“terrific”
-Sequenza 21

“hugely sensitive musician”
-Fanfare Magazine

"Eliot Gattegno plays magnificently."
-Fanfare Magazine
 

About Residencies

Eliot Gattegno expertly designs workshops and residencies specifically for saxophonists, wind players and composers; ranging from one- and two-day workshops to week, semester, and yearlong residencies featuring collaboration and performance. He also offers masterclasses for all levels of saxophone soloists as well as coachings for saxophone quartets and other chamber ensembles, in which more advanced music students can learn about the intricacies of the chamber music repertoire.