Meet Alex Hahn

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Hahn.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I am originally from Orange County, CA and grew up with both my parents being musicians. My dad plays saxophone and clarinet and is a music educator. My mom is a classically trained pianist and teaches music therapy. So because of this, I did not want my career to be music. It was not until my senior year high school, where I started to get very serious about music. I had an epiphany right before I had to make my college decision that I should study music. I then decided to go to the University of North Texas to study jazz. After being in four years, I graduated with my master’s degree at USC back home in SoCal. After that, I attended the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance, now known as the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz at UCLA. I now am the director of the jazz program at the Los Angeles County High School, as well as maintaining my performance career as sidemen and bandleader.

Please tell us about your art.
My music is about melody and making people feel good. Sometimes jazz has a tendency to be too intellectual. I want my music to be enjoyed by jazz musicians, other musicians, AND non-musicians. This is a very common theme I think about when I compose my music. Growing up, music from Disney and other films have had a huge impact on my sense of melody. Artists such as Pat Metheny and Herbie Hancock have also greatly influenced my music. They are two musicians who are highly respected by musicians and are successful because their music is accessible to non-musicians.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing artists today?
I think artists face two huge challenges today.
1. There are so many talented musicians trying to make it in the music industry. Speaking as a saxophone player, there are so many amazing saxophonists living in Los Angeles. It is a very competitive field.
2. As a musician today in 2020, you need to be very well versed in so many different aspects. It is your job to book gigs, promote your shows, manage social media, technology, teaching, as well as being a badass on your instrument, as a composer, arranger, anything you can possibly do to have an extra revenue stream come in.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I try to play shows in the SoCal area once a month. You can also follow me on various social media (Instagram, Facebook, twitter, youtube) and my website alexhahnmusic.com

Contact Info:

• Address: 16111 Warmington Lane Huntington Beach, CA 92649
• Website: alexhahnmusic.com
• Phone: 7147437912
• Email: ahahn1022@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realalexhahn/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realalexhahn/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/realalexhahn
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/user/alexhahn1022/videos

Image Credit:
Ricky Chavez

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