SAN DIEGO, CA, July 28, 2020 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present Pat Pfiffner with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Mr. Pfiffner celebrates many years' experience in his professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes he has accrued in his field. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
With nearly 50 years of professional experience to his credit, Pat Pfiffner has excelled as a percussionist for Broadway San Diego since 1976, the La Jolla Playhouse since 1978 and the Old Globe Theater since 1990. During this time, he has also been the resident drummer, percussionist and contractor for the San Diego Civic Light Opera, also known as the Starlight Musical Theatre, since 1981. He has been an extra with the San Diego Symphony since 1972 and many times served as principal percussionist or timpanist. He was also percussionist and a timpanist for the San Diego Opera from 1982, acting principal timpanist from 1985 to 1987 and the acting principal percussionist in 2002. Mr. Pfiffner was an extra for the Pacific Symphony from 2008 to 2015 and the principal timpanist and/or percussionist for the Vienna Orchestra of America from 2005 to 2015.
He was also the principal percussionist and timpanist for the San Diego Chamber Orchestra from 1985 to 2011. Furthermore, Mr. Pfiffner has performed with the Joffrey Ballet, the Moscow Ballet, the American Ballet Theatre and the Dance Theatre of Harlem as a principal timpanist and percussionist. From 1978 to 2014, Mr. Pfiffner provided his wealth of knowledge to Point Lorna Nazarene University as a professor of music.
Before embarking on his professional path, Pat Pfiffner completed service as a second-class musician in the U.S. Navy between 1967 and 1971 and was on the USS Little Rock in the Mediterranean Sea from 1969 through 1970. He subsequently pursued an education at San Diego State University, earning a Bachelor of Music in 1976. Following these accomplishments, Mr. Pfiffner concluded his studies at the aforementioned university in 1977, graduating with a Master of Music.
He has notably backed up over 100 high profile entertainers, including John Williams, Sammy Davis Jr., Bob Hope, Mickey Rooney, Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, Natalie Cole, Matthew Broderick, Steve Lawrence and Edie Gorme, Tony Bennett, Henry Mancini, Joan Rivers and James Taylor, to name only a few. With over 130 Broadway shows to his name, he has also held the position of percussionist for over 60 National Broadway tours for such musicals as "Wicked," "The Producers," "Hairspray," "Beauty and the Beast" and "Newsies," among others. Mr. Pfiffner is also the conductor for the Grand Pacific Band which specializes in turn-of-the-Century band music.
Mr. Pfiffner has found success with his written works, authoring "The Ancestors of Patrick Meehan Pfiffner" in 2002 and compiling 500 works of art in editing "The Art of E. John Pfiffner" in 2016 and has contributed articles to "Percussion Notes' and "Modem Drummer" magazines. He has recorded numerous albums including "Symphonie Fantastique" in 1996 and "Those Hollywood Marches" in 1990 with the San Diego Symphony, "Magnification" with "Yes" in 2001, 3 CDs with the San Diego Chamber Orchestra and is on the original soundtrack for the movie "Kate and Leopold." Mr. Pfiffner has also performed in live productions with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, the Ice Capades, Disney on Ice, Celtic Women, The Three Tenors, The Moody Blues and The Fifth Dimension.
Pat Pfiffner remains affiliated with various organizations in relation to his areas of expertise. He has been significantly associated with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, the Percussive Arts Society and Local 325 of the American Federation of Musicians. In light of his exceptional undertakings, Mr. Pfiffner was selected for inclusion in the 22nd edition of Who's Who in the World and multiple volumes of Who's Who in America.
Fostering his musical talents in marching bands and concert band performances throughout grade school and high school, Mr. Pfiffner was mentored by the likes of professor Danley Mitchell of San Diego State University, percussionist Jim Hoffman of the San Diego Symphony and drummer Ed Shaughnessy of "The Tonight Show." He had also sharpened his musical skills in the rock band "The Rejects" in the 1960s in Wisconsin, whose success allowed him to pay for his first year of higher education. He cites his versatility as his professional highlight, as he was able to perform under a multitude of great conductors with symphonies, big band jazz outfits, Broadway productions, recording sessions and performances with his industry's biggest stars. However, Mr. Pfiffner is most proud of his dedication to his family, including his nearly 50-year marriage to his loving wife Linda and his time with his two wonderful children and five grandchildren.
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