David Van De Pitte

David J. Van De Pitte (October 28, 1941–August 9, 2009)^[1] was an American music arranger and bass player. He is best known for his work at Motown Records during the 1960s and early 1970s, when he was responsible for arranging many of the best known and most successful of the company's records, including those by Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight and many others.

Life and career

He was born in Detroit, Michigan, and studied music at the Westlake College of Music in Los Angeles, becoming proficient in classical, jazz and pop music. His main instrument was the bass, but he also played trombone and other instruments. In the early 1960s he began playing in Johnny Trudell's orchestra, and came to know many of the musicians who, then and later, worked at Motown, including bass player James Jamerson who sometimes substituted for him in Trudell's band.^[2]

He began working for Motown in 1968, and was responsible for arranging Marvin Gaye's albums What's Going On and Let's Get It On, as well as singles including "Nathan Jones" by The Supremes, "Still Water (Love)" by the Four Tops, "Ball of Confusion" and "Psychedelic Shack" by the Temptations, "If I Were Your Woman" by Gladys Knight, "Indiana Wants Me" by R. Dean Taylor, and "If You Really Love Me" by Stevie Wonder.^[2] He was nominated for a Grammy in 1971 for his work on What's Going On. As a music director, he was responsible for Marvin Gaye's TV performances and live appearances by the Temptations, Four Tops, and Diana Ross.^[1]

After leaving Motown in 1972, he worked freelance for artists including Paul Anka, Millie Jackson and George Clinton. He was an adjunct professor in the Jazz Studies program at Wayne State University from 1979 to 1983. He also wrote music for live shows and commercials on behalf of corporations including Ford, General Motors and Chrysler.^[2]

He died of cancer in Southfield, Michigan, at the age of 67.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} David Van De Pitte at FindaGrave.com
2. ^ ^{a b c} Susan Whitall, David Van De Pitte, music arranger for Motown, dies at 67, Detroit News

Persondata
Name	Van De Pitte, David
Alternative names
Short description	Music arranger
Date of birth	October 28, 1941
Place of birth	Detroit, Michigan
Date of death	August 9, 2009
Place of death	Southfield, Michigan