The Old Town Scottsdale Farmer’s Market has got the beat. Music is provided on Saturday mornings by Walt Pitts playing a mixture of jazz, pop, rock, blues, country, and Latin music. He switches back and forth between an acoustic guitar and a mandolin, sometimes with the mandolin on his back while he plays the guitar in front of him, and then quickly switches to the mandolin.
(mandolin on back)
His set-up is extraordinary. In order to provide and outstanding music experience with great flexibility to fit a multitude of locations and situations, Pitts sets up a system that runs entirely on batteries so there is no dependency on electricity at a venue. He can stroll through the crowd untethered.
He spends countless hours developing sequences and loops into computer generated audio with percussion and acoustic upright bass. He edits, arranges, and mixes the music on to an audio wave file which is then converted to an MP3 audio file. He has a tiny MP3 player that attaches to his guitar which he can use to provide the background music for his guitar and mandolin.
He has played in restaurants and country clubs, at weddings and special celebrations, and at private and corporate special events, as well as the farmer’s market. He also plays occasionally at the farmer’s markets in Glendale, Surprise, and Carefree.
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In addition to blending music well, he also finds a good balance between a pragmatic business sense and musical creativity. Unlike many musicians who maintain other careers as they continue to create music, he has managed to support himself and his family through his music for 24 years. Most evenings he plays at the exclusive Constantino’s Italian Restaurant in the private Desert Mountain community.” The membership, management, and the staff at Desert Mountain Properties have been very supportive,” said Pitts.
“Same with Dee Logan,” continued Pitts, referring to the coordinator at the farmer’s markets where he plays.” I have been pleasantly surprised at what a good fit it turned out to be.” Pitts also appreciates the farmer's markets for other reasons. “I shop here. I love the bread. I love the produce. I love the pottery at Juanita Martinez Pottery. I think the coffee is great.”
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His list of songs is expansive with music for all generations and tastes including Eric Clapton, Frank Sinatra Peter Frampton, Henry Mancini, and Avril LaVigne. “I play pretty much the same music wherever I go,” Pitts said. With such a large variety of music at hand, he can evaluate a crowd and pick the music that fits every situation.
“I’m coming into my own right now,” said Pitts. “I’m a lucky man. I’m quietly working every day on what I love to do.”