Austin DiPietro's Live at Mackenzie Hall Jazz will be available July 3 in digital, CD and vinyl formats. (PHOTO COURTESY OF AUSTIN DIPIETRO)
By John-Paul Bonadonna
Austin Di Pietro cites connection as a driving force behind his approach to music — a feeling and philosophy that took shape during his time at the University of Windsor and now serves as the foundation for his debut album as a bandleader.
The UWindsor music graduate will release Live at Mackenzie Hall Jazz on July 3, a live recording that captures the creative energy of musicians from both sides of the Windsor-Detroit border performing original compositions and jazz standards before a hometown audience.
Recorded during the Port Windsor Jazz & Arts Festival at Mackenzie Hall Cultural Centre, the album features Di Pietro’s Borderland Ensemble, a group built around the idea that music can transcend geographic, political and cultural boundaries.
“Growing up and working in the Windsor-Detroit region, the border has always been a part of my daily life,” Di Pietro says.
“This ensemble was formed around the idea that music can connect people across geographic, political and cultural boundaries.”
After earning his Bachelor of Music at UWindsor, Di Pietro completed a Master of Music in Jazz Trumpet Performance at Wayne State University, creating an educational and artistic journey that mirrors the cross-border spirit celebrated throughout the album.
Live at Mackenzie Hall Jazz showcases five original compositions alongside interpretations of jazz standards, blending traditional influences with a contemporary approach to melody and improvisation.
The recording was captured live with minimal post-production editing, preserving the spontaneity and interplay that define jazz performance. The result is both a snapshot of Di Pietro’s artistic development and a celebration of the musical exchange that continues to thrive between Windsor and Detroit.
Beyond leading the Borderland Ensemble, Di Pietro has established himself as a composer, arranger, performer and film scorer. He is also a founding member of the indie duo The Bishop Boys.
His work has been supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, Windsor Endowment for the Arts and the City of Windsor’s Arts, Culture & Heritage Fund.
The album release will be followed by a series of performances throughout Windsor-Essex and the Detroit region this summer, including an official album release performance at the Port Windsor Music & Art Festival on July 5.
Live at Mackenzie Hall Jazz will be available July 3 in digital, CD and vinyl formats. For purchase and streaming links, visit austindipietro.com.