By Roslyn Lo
For saxophonist Scott Kreitzer, life exists beyond the visceral—the world’s foundation may be built on science, mathematics and facts, but at the heart of the matter is soul. As a jazz musician and newcomer at Prudential Douglas Elliman, Kreitzer is now breathing life and passion into real estate.
The daily grind of being musician demands flexibility, which spurred Kreitzer’s decision to become a broker. After experience as a landlord for a six-bedroom property in Southampton, he decided real estate would be a suitable match to his lifestyle and strong suits.
“It hit me one day that I needed something to complement my life. I like fashion, design and homes. Real estate brings that all together. It made complete sense. As a landlord, I know what that side brings. I’ve seen a lot in real estate, so that transition was comfortable,” he said.
Kreitzer, whose abilities as a jazz musician include improvising, spoke about dealing with new tasks in real estate. “In this field, you learn something every day. There are problems, so we become troubleshooters. When problem solving, it comes down to getting an end result for someone other than myself. My whole life so far is how I can get myself to be a performer. The shift has been so valuable—I’m now dealing with people and hearing their needs, trying to give them what they’re looking for and going beyond that.”
Having been with Prudential Douglas Elliman for a year and a half, he has current rentals listed at 730 Columbus Avenue, 230 East 44th Street, and 101 West End Avenue. Kreitzer is busy expanding his list of clientele, while simultaneously funding his passion for the arts. “Real estate has made it possible for me to pursue what I love, and it will continue to crescendo,” he said.
The seasoned jazz artist has over 20 years of music under his belt, and has toured all over the world. He has four records of his own, and his album Kick ‘n Off was awarded the honor of Audiophile Magazine’s “Top 100 Records To Die For.” Kreitzer has also received first place in the Hennessy Jazz Search. He has experience in many facets of the music industry, from recording, songwriting and touring with the likes of musical legends Billy Joel, Rod Stewart, David Lee Roth and Jon Bon Jovi.
His musical roots extend to his youth living in South Florida. He fondly recalled growing up in a jazz household, listening to Clifford Brown, John Coltrane and his idol and mentor Ira Sullivan, whom he has collaborated with. He learned to play clarinet at 12, and then discovered his true calling playing the tenor saxophone at 15. Kreitzer moved to New York City to broaden his horizons, attending William Patterson College to study music. His dedication paid off, as Kreitzer has landed gigs in the world’s most star-studded entertainment avenue: Broadway.
His latest role is playing for Tony Award-winning musical Memphis. Performing in as many as eight shows a week, with people from all over the world flocking to Broadway theaters, Kreitzer is playing for an international stage nightly. “Broadway shows are a nice thing to have. What’s amazing is that people really go nuts—the house is packed every night.”
The artist described music as a highly personal experience. “It’s the moment I can close my eyes and hear the rhythm section. There are few moments any of us have that we can turn it all off and be in the moment. Playing jazz and being in a great band—there’s nothing like it.” On the flip side, he acknowledged that there was a rewarding aspect to thrilling crowds with his musical talent. “There’s nothing better than knowing you inspired people,” he said.
As for real estate, Kreitzer has found that his mellow disposition and innate passion has extended itself to dealing with clients. “It’s about relationships—where they start off and where they go. I make it fun for people. The experience out there can be annoying and stressful; I afford the ability to relax and laugh and make sure they feel comfortable. The trust level has to be there for people—those aren’t small things.”
With the skill of improvisation and the hunger for greatness, Kreitzer has discovered a harmonious life balancing music and business. As an innately creative soul, he is constantly seeking to develop his expertise, learn from his experiences, and expand his ventures in both real estate and music. Scott Kreitzer sees that New York is filled with limitless opportunities, and is inspiring people one note at a time.
