is a dynamic and soulful alto saxophonist rapidly emerging as one of the most compelling new voices in jazz. A graduate of both the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz and The Juilliard School, Hanahan fuses the deep-rooted swing and bebop traditions with a bold, modern intensity—an approach that reflects her rigorous training and fearless artistic vision.

Since her arrival on the scene, Hanahan has performed alongside an extraordinary range of jazz luminaries, including Jeff “Tain” Watts, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Nicholas Payton, Peter Washington, and Joe Farnsworth. Her commanding tone, technical mastery, and melodic imagination have brought her to major stages across the U.S. and abroad, with regular appearances at premier New York venues such as Smalls Jazz Club, Dizzy’s Club, Birdland, and Smoke Jazz & Supper Club.

Her debut album, Among Giants (2024)—featuring Marc Cary, Nat Reeves, and Jeff “Tain” Watts—garnered widespread acclaim, earning a 5-star review and a place among DownBeat’s Top Albums of 2024. In 2025, Hanahan was named DownBeat’s #1 Rising Star Alto Saxophonist, affirming her status as one of the leading voices of her generation.

Whether leading her own quartet or collaborating with some of the music’s most revered artists, Sarah Hanahan plays with passion, precision, and an unwavering commitment to the evolution of jazz.

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