Jon Irabagon, winner of the 2008 Thelonious Monk International Saxophone Competition, has performed extensively as both a sideman and as a leader in an ever-expanding range of projects, from the most straight ahead to the most searching. Jon has studied under such divergent artists as Dave Liebman, Wynton Marsalis, Dick Oatts, Jason Moran and Victor Goines, and has performed and/or recorded with musical luminaries such as Billy Joel, Wynton Marsalis, Bright Eyes, Tom Harrell, Tommy Iago, Joe Lovano, Dave Liebman, Deborah Gibson, John Abercrombie, Frank Wess, Wycliffe Gordon, Renee Fleming, Kenny Washington, Lou Reed, Jenny Lewis, Ron Sexsmith, and Ken Vandermark.
Winning the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition has afforded Irabagon the opportunity to assemble a dream-team of musicians for his new album The Observer, out October 20th, including the stellar rhythm section of pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Rufus Reid and drummer Victor Lewis, alongside veteran producer Don Sickler and legendary engineer Rudy Van Gelder.
Influences
Cannonball, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Sonny Stitt, Charlie Parker, Evan Parker, Maceo Parker, Ellie Parker
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