Marcus+

His last year’s Możdżer+ performance was extraordinary. We are fortunate to have him back.

Alex Han

He is 23 years young and already one of the most recognizable jazz saxophonists of his generation. This will be his second consecutive performance at the Solidarity of Arts festival, once again as part of Marcus Miller’s band.
Han was only 13 when he took stage at the Festival Internacional de Jazz de Lapataia in Punta del Este, Uruguay. On that occasion he had a chance to learn from Paquito D’Rivera, Joe Lovano, Lewis Nash, Slide Hampton, Johnny Griffin, Kenny Barron, Jon Faddis, Nicholas Payton, Dave Valentin, Claudio Roditi and Antonio Sanchez. In 2006 he was awarded a presidential scholarship to the prestigious Berklee College of Music. He graduated with honors after just three years.
His talent developed very quickly. The young musician has already played with the likes of Herbie Hancock, George Duke, Joey DeFrancesco, George Benson, Poncho Sanchez, James Moody, Kirk Whalum, Bob Mintzer, Jimmy Haslip, Marcus Baylor, Russell Ferrante, Patrice Rushen, Oscar Peterson, Rufus Reid, Keb’ Mo’, Diane Reeves, Roy Hargrove, James Carter, Ken Peplowski, Terri Lyne Carrington, Brian Lynch, Akira Tana, Gerri Allen, Shelly Berg and Walt Weiskopf.
It is hardly surprising that music equipment companies are rather keen to sign sponsorhip deals with him. So far six of them have succeeded: Yamaha, Rico Reeds, Beechler Mouthpieces, Applied Microphone Technology (AMT), Neotech Straps and ProTec Cases.
In recent years Han has been a close collaborator of Marcus Miller. He is part of the famous bassist’s sentimental journey in honour of Miles Davis (Tutu Revisited tour). If you remember Możdżer, Miller and Han playing together last year at Możdżer+, then you need us to say no more: Alex is a world-class jazz musician.
alexhan.com

Photo: alexhan.com