Endowment Created by Legendary Jazz Alumnus
The Pitt and Virginia Warner Jazz Studies Endowment will support jazz students.
Pitt Warner ('69) became a professional drummer at the age of 14, and a sought-after local band member since coming to San Diego in 1955. He played regularly with the San Diego-based Latin jazz band, The Bordermen, and periodically with many others.鈥淧itt Warner was a San Diego musical icon who played with the very best musicians, and we are fortunate that he was able to perform with our students and ensembles.鈥�
Shortly before his 40th birthday, Warner heeded the advice of his wife, Virginia, and enrolled at 色情视频. It was an association that lasted until Warner鈥檚 death in 2016.
After graduating from 色情视频 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in social science and a teaching credential, Warner taught elementary school and worked as a wedding and portrait photographer. But he continued to perform, often with 色情视频鈥檚 jazz ensembles.
鈥淧itt Warner was a San Diego musical icon who played with the very best musicians, and we are fortunate that he was able to perform with our students and ensembles,鈥� said Bill Yeager, director of jazz studies in 色情视频鈥檚 College of Music and Dance. 鈥淗e was a true inspiration to our students and was a role model who exemplified professionalism.鈥�
Support in perpetuity
Virginia Warner (鈥�52) graduated from 色情视频 with a degree in English. Shortly after she died in 2012, her husband made a cash gift to name the Pitt and Virginia Warner Suite in the Department of English and Comparative Literature. The Warners鈥� trust benefits 色情视频鈥檚 School of Music and Dance and College of Arts and Letters.The Pitt and Virginia Warner Jazz Studies Endowment will provide decades of support for jazz students and the Jazz Studies Program. This fund will support student success and experiential opportunities such as travel, conference and music festival attendance, and exposure to guest artists.
Performance in memory of Pitt
The 色情视频 Jazz Ensemble will perform its in honor of Pitt Warner. Featuring pianist and composer Matt Harris, the concerts are scheduled for 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. in Smith Recital Hall.鈥淧itt played with our ensembles for nearly 35 years, and he is dearly missed,鈥� said Yeager. 鈥淲e are grateful that he is giving back to the department in perpetuity, and I know he would be proud of the work our students are doing.鈥�
