Today’s guest is non-other than the young phenom, Alex Hahn, a multi-award winning saxophonist, educator and composer based in Los Angeles, California.

He recently won 1st place at the Michael Brecker International Saxophone Competition, graduated with his 2nd masters from the prestigious Thelonius Monk Institute, performed and studied with Herbie Hancock, and recorded on Michael Bublé’s last two Grammy Nominated albums.

He is a 6-Time Downbeat Magazine Award Winner, 3-Time Next Generation Jazz Festival Outstanding Soloist, 1st Place Winner in the North American Saxophone Alliance Jazz Saxophone Competition, and winner of the Perform with Mintzer International Saxophone Competition.

Alex has taught all over the world including the Panama Jazz Festival, Sitka Jazz Festival, and at International Jazz Day in Havana,Cuba and St. Petersburg, Russia.

Chris Potter has said of Alex: “Alex has a real melodic gift in his writing and playing”

Alex is endorsed by D’Addario Woodwinds, Andreas Eastman Saxophones and Key Leaves.

In this interview, we talked about: 

How to get past performance anxiety

The pros and cons of working with backing tracks

The most important character trait for success 

Hand position tips 

What it was like competing in the Michael Brecker International Saxophone competition – he shares priceless info around 5 minutes into our conversation

What he likes most about his Eastman saxophones

You’ll hear him play solo saxophone on the tune, Cherokee

He’s joined by Rajiv Halim to perform Bag’s Groove

And much more!

Tweetable – “There’s no substitute for playing with live musicians.” Alex Hahn

You can watch the video of this interview here: https://youtu.be/ZHGf_Yka_ow

You can read more about Alex here: https://youtu.be/ZHGf_Yka_ow

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJF3hTBmWFhwKcywXtzRmEw

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realalexhahn/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/realalexhahn

Twitter: https://twitter.com/realalexhahn