Saxophonist, composer, and Berklee College of Music Professor Emeritus Dan Moretti has built an international reputation as a creative force in jazz, soul, funk, and Latin music. Over the course of more than four decades, he has recorded and performed with some of the most respected names in contemporary music, while simultaneously cultivating a career as a prolific bandleader and a celebrated educator.
Born and raised in Rhode Island, Moretti’s early years were steeped in jazz, R&B, and popular music. His versatility on the saxophone quickly made him a first-call musician in the New England scene, leading to opportunities that would expand his career worldwide. From the start, his artistry has been defined by a seamless blending of styles: jazz improvisation with the grooves of funk, the soul of rhythm and blues, and the sophistication of Latin and Brazilian traditions.
In 2025, Moretti released Dan Moretti & Brazilia: Celebrating Wayne Shorter, Live at the Pump House Music Works—a national album release that pays tribute to one of jazz’s greatest composers Wayne Shorter. This was released on the Roots Grooves Record label. The album, featuring bassist and multiple Grammy winner Oscar Stagnaro, pianist Maxim Lubarsky, percussionist Ernesto Diaz, and drummer Steve Langone, reimagines Wayne Shorter’s iconic compositions through the vibrant rhythms and textures of Afro-Brazilian music. The project not only highlights Moretti’s lyrical and expressive voice on saxophone but also underscores his role as an arranger and visionary bandleader who brings new life to timeless jazz repertoire. It was #1 on the RMR charts and #6 on the Jazz Week charts and remained on the charts for 23 weeks.
Throughout his career, Moretti has released over twenty-two recordings as a leader or co-leader, spanning projects from straight-ahead jazz to funk-driven soul and Latin jazz explorations. The full list can be viewed on his website.
As a performer, Moretti has shared the stage with a wide range of jazz and popular music luminaries, including Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, Mike Stern, Dave Liebman, Marvin Stamm, Nat Adderly, James Moody, Omar Hakim, Curt Ramm, Bob Moses, The Crusaders, Nile Rodgers, Dr. John, Ray Charles and Robert Plant. His collaborations cross genres and generations, reflecting his adaptability and deep musical curiosity. Internationally, he has toured extensively across Europe, Asia, and South America, often presenting both performances and masterclasses.
Equally influential as an educator, Moretti joined the faculty of Berklee College of Music in 1996, where he taught for 29 years before retiring as Professor Emeritus. At Berklee, he developed innovative curricula in contemporary performance and recording techniques, mentoring generations of students who have gone on to successful careers. His teaching legacy is as significant as his recordings, emphasizing creativity, versatility, and professionalism. He continues to teach 2 courses at Berklee online.
Today, Moretti continues to perform, record, and inspire, carrying forward a lifetime of musical exploration. With his 2025 release celebrating Wayne Shorter, he adds another landmark to his distinguished career—a testament to his enduring artistry, global reach, and commitment to honoring the jazz tradition while pushing its boundaries forward.