Faculty

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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, The Kyle Athayde Dance Party 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 six-time Downbeat Magazine award winner, three-time Next Generation Jazz Festival Outstanding Soloist, first 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 first place in the Michael Brecker International Saxophone Competition held at the Red Sea Jazz Festival in Eilat, Israel. 

Hahn is very active as a studio musician in Los Angeles. 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 films such as Bad Trip, written and starring comedian Eric Andre), and as a featured soloist on Coming 2 America starring Eddie Murphy. Lastly, Hahn is a featured soloist on the Maya Rudolph show “Loot” and is featured on screen on the Emmy Award-winning 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 and Jimmy Heath, among others. He also holds a Master of Music degree in Jazz Studies from the USC Thornton School of Music, 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 seven-time Grammy-nominated One O’ Clock Lab Band. He was a featured soloist on the Lab’s 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 across the United States. He was also chosen to return as the Band’s teaching assistant and student director the following summer. 

In addition to his work as a side musician, Alex Hahn has recorded and released five studio albums featuring his original music. His studio albums include Traveling (2014), Emerging (2017), New Flight (2019), Second Wind (2021) and Colors (2023). His projects have a wide range of instrumentation and genre and have featured musicians such as Michael Mayo, Amber Navran of Moonchild, and Grammy-winning saxophonist Bob Mintzer. Despite the variety of genres Hahn explores, his original music always focuses on strong and singable melodies, great groove, and creative improvisation. 

In addition to his professional performing and recording career, Hahn is an incredibly passionate educator. He currently serves as an adjunct professor at the USC Thornton School of Music. He has given masterclasses, clinics, and has had guest artist appearances at the University of North Texas, Cal Tech University, San Jose State University, 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 around the world including Egypt, South Korea, Australia, United Kingdom, Mexico, Canada and New Zealand. His private students have gone on to receive music scholarships from acclaimed schools such as the Julliard School, University of Miami, Berklee College of Music, Manhattan School of Music, University of Southern California, New York University, University of North Texas and the James Morrison Academy in Australia, to name a few. 

Hahn also serves as the director of jazz at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA). Since becoming the jazz 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 published several educational resources. These include four different volumes of transcription etudes, The Blues Book, Alex Hahn Saxophone Technique Essentials and Alex Hahn Saxophone Sound Essentials Live Course. His products have been sold in over 25 U.S. states and in over 20 countries. 

Alex Hahn is an endorsed artist of D’Addario Woodwinds and Andreas Eastman Saxophones, and Key Leaves.