Brittany Pitt

Brittany Pitt is a Toronto based saxophonist, composer and improvisor.

Since completing her studies in Toronto, Brittany has gone on to perform in numerous venues across Hamilton and Toronto, including the Corktown, the Tranzac Club, Sellers and Newel, The Jazz Bistro and the Emmet Ray, playing with musicians such as Laura Swankey, Ashley Urquhart, Dan Pitt, Harry Vetro, Simone Baron, Caleb Klager, Ethan Ardelli, Stefan Hegerat, Devin Patten, Robert Diack, Alex Fournier and Alex Lakusta.

Recently, Brittany participated in the New York School for Improvisational Music program, led by Ralph Alessi and was given the opportunity to work with Ralph, Matt Mitchell, John Hebert, Tom Rainey and Tim Berne. Being exposed to some of New York’s greatest improvisors inspired Brittany to come back to Toronto, put a new band together and write an entire book of

new music. This band, Shapeshifter, consists of Brittany on saxophone, Dan Pitt on guitar and Aidan McConnell on drums.

The upcoming release of the record “Shapeshifter” will be Brittany's official record debut as a composer, musician and bandleader. With the record being released on September 4th, 2026 at Sellers & Newel, she will be following up with a small tour of Ontario and Quebec, with shows in Toronto, Guelph, and Montreal Shapeshifter creates atmospheric music that combines angular melodies, spontaneous compositions and rhythmic concepts with atmospheric textures from each contributing member of the trio.

The music blends influences that have affected the bandleader, such as her experience studying and playing in the New York improvised music scene, as well as years of listening to music of the ECM label and other European jazz artists.

The recording of “Shapeshifter” has been a reflection of Brittany’s shift and progression of her musical career, both compositionally and performatively. After attending the School for Improvisational Music in August of 2025, she felt the intense inspiration to explore and create a

new musical project, focusing on the art of improvisational music. While attending the SIM program, Brittany studied under New York musicians Ralph Alessi, Matt Mitchell, John Hebert, Tom Rainey and Tim Berne. Each of these musicians inspired Brittany to look at composition

and improvisation in a more open way and inspired her to explore more creative and less structured ways of composing and playing through original pieces, all while drawing upon the strengths of each individual band member.

Shapeshifter also features two in demand Canadian musicians, drummer Aidan McConnell (Potions, Burs) and guitarist Dan Pitt (Dan Pitt Trio, Dan Pitt Quintet). Both Aidan and Dan have been an integral part of the evolution of Shapeshifter, contributing their musical and

performance abilities to both the written and open sections of the music.”