Alex Hahn is a Grammy Award Winning saxophonist and composer based in Los Angeles, California. Still early in his career, Hahn has had the opportunity to perform with many renowned artists such as Herbie Hancock, Esperanza Spalding, The Grammy Award Winning John Daversa Progressive Big Band, Bob Mintzer, Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, Peter Erskine, John Beasley, Patrice Rushen, and many others. He also recorded on Michael Bublé’s last three Grammy Nominated studio albums. In addition, Hahn has performed and taught all over the world including the Panama Jazz Festival, Sitka Alaska Jazz Festival, and at International Jazz Day in Havana, Cuba and St. Petersburg, Russia.
Hahn 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 2015 Perform with Mintzer International Saxophone Competition. In 2019, he won 1st Place in the Michael Brecker International Saxophone Competition held at the Red Sea Jazz Festival in Eilat, Israel.
Hahn is a very active as a studio musician in Los Angeles, CA. He has recorded alto, tenor, clarinet, and baritone saxophone on commercials for brands such as Disney, Wayfair, and Devoted Care. He can also be heard on movies such as Bad Trip, written and starring comedian Eric Andre, and is a featured soloist on the Eddie Murphy movie Coming 2 America. Lastly, Hahn is featured on screen on the Emmy Award Winning Television show Glee.
Hahn completed his second Master of Music degree at the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz where he studied with jazz legends Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Jimmy Heath, and many more. He also holds a Master of Music degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Southern California, where he was a graduate student and teaching assistant under Bob Mintzer and Jason Goldman. Hahn graduated with a Bachelor of Music from the University of North Texas in 2014 where he performed and recorded with the 7-Time Grammy Nominated One O’ Clock Lab Band. He was a featured soloist on the Lab 2014 Album. During his time at North Texas, Hahn was selected as a member of the Disney All-American College Band. This ensemble consists of the top college musicians from all across the United States. He was also chosen to return as the Teaching Assistant/Student Director the following summer.
In addition to his work as a side musician, Alex Hahn has recorded and released four studio albums featuring his own original music. His studio albums include “Traveling” in 2014, “Emerging” in 2017, “New Flight” in 2019, “Second Wind” in 2021, and “Colors” in 2023. His projects have a wide range of instrumentation, genre, and have featured musicians such as Michael Mayo, Amber Navran of Moonchild, and Grammy Award Winning Saxophonist Bob Mintzer. Despite the various genres Hahn explores, his original music always focuses on strong sing-able melodies, great groove, and creative improvisation.
In addition to his professional performing and recording career, Alex Hahn is an incredibly passionate educator. He has given master classes, clinics, and has had guest artist appearances at The University of North Texas, Cal Tech University, San Jose State, Saddleback College, as well as a number of high schools and middle schools around the world. Hahn also has a thriving private lesson studio. He has taught students from all over the world including Egypt, South Korea, Australia, United Kingdom, Mexico, Canada, and New Zealand. His private students have gone on to receive music scholarships at some of the most prestigious schools around the world including the Julliard School, University of Miami, Berklee College of Music, Manhattan School of Music, University of Southern California, New York University, The University of North Texas, and the James Morrison Academy in Australia to name a few. Hahn currently serves as the Director of Jazz at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. Since becoming the director at LACHSA, his students have won countless awards from Downbeat Magazine, Spotlight, and Young Arts. Five of his students have been selected to participate in the Herbie Hancock Institute National Peer-Peer All Star Jazz Septet. This group is hand selected by Dr. JB Dyas, Vice President of Education at the Herbie Hancock Institute, and consists of the top high school musicians from across the country.
Hahn has also published several educational resources. These include four different volumes of transcription etudes, The Blues Book, and the Alex Hahn Saxophone Technique Essentials. His products have been sold in over twenty-five US states and in over twenty countries.
Alex Hahn is an endorsed artist of D’Addario Woodwinds and Andreas Eastman Saxophones, and Key Leaves.