Pete Fucinaro is a Brooklyn based saxophonist, composer, and educator whose musical scope encompasses jazz and contemporary music. His compositions draw from a wide range of styles and genres while remaining rooted in the jazz tradition. His work is characterized by a fluid approach that explores complex musical spaces through tender and cinematic orchestration, evocative melodies, an emphasis on self-expression through improvisation, and the exploration of a diverse range of musical practices. 

In 2020, Pete was a semifinalist in the North American Saxophone Alliance jazz saxophone competition. In 2021, Pete recorded with Vector Field on their debut release “V1”, which features five of his original compositions. In 2023, Pete was chosen to participate in the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program, where he had an original work premiered at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on the Millennium Stage in Washington, DC as well as the Discover Jazz Festival in Burlington, VT. While there, he was mentored by Jason Moran, Linda May Han Oh, Melissa Aldana, Clarence Penn, Benny Green, Camille Thurman, and Ingrid Jensen. In 2024, Pete was selected to be in the Ravinia Steans Music Institute Program for Jazz in Highland Park, IL, where he debuted original music and worked with Rufus Reid, Steve Wilson, and Billy Childs. 

In 2025, Pete released his debut album, Little Window. Comprised of all original compositions, the album is “astoundingly accomplished … fully formed and thoroughly convincing” (Plastic Sax) and features Ebba Dankel, Ethan Ditthardt, Jared Beckstead-Craan, and Alex Souris. He performed the album and other original compositions at the Jazz in June Festival at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln the same year.

Before moving to Brooklyn, NY, Pete was an adjunct faculty member at the Kansas City Kansas Community College, where he taught saxophone and a jazz ensemble.

Pete holds a Master of the Arts degree in saxophone performance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he studied with renowned jazz drummer Carl Allen. Before that, he earned his undergraduate degree in jazz studies from the University of North Texas. During his time at the University of North Texas, he was a member of the seven-time GRAMMY nominated One O’Clock Lab Band from 2018-2020.