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ASCAP Foundation – Clint Bleil

Clint Bleil, chosen as the 2021 HAYJC recipient who would have performed live at this year’s Newport Jazz Festival, is a composer and saxophonist from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He regularly performs in the Pittsburgh area with his quartet that focuses on modern jazz arrangements and compositions, as well as a funk/fusion group that he co-leads with his brother. Bleil has received numerous awards in composition and arranging, including a SONIC Award for his jazz ensemble piece “It Matters,” which was performed at the 2019 International Jazz Composers’ Symposium, and a DownBeat Student Music Award in 2019 for his arrangement of “I’ll Remember April.” He has composed, arranged and transcribed for multiple groups and ensembles, including Chris Thile’s band on Live from Here, Sal “The Voice” Valentinetti, Bob Reynolds, Project TRIO and the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra. Bleil is currently a visiting assistant professor of music at Washington & Jefferson College, where he teaches multiple classes and leads the jazz and wind ensemble. He has degrees in music education and saxophone performance from Slippery Rock University, and a master’s degree in studio jazz writing from the University of Miami.