Donovan Haffner

Tonight we welcome back the Jazz FM Awards 'Breakthrough Act' 2026 winner and a rising star jazz alto saxophonist Donovan Haffner, who will be presenting his original music with his band. In 2025, he won the prestigious Parliamentary Jazz Award in the ‘Jazz Newcomer’ category. Also a Tomorrow’s Warriors and Royal Academy of Music alum, Donovan has performed with Moses Boyd, Jay Phelps, Paul Cornish and Charles Tolliver’s Big Band. Donovan crafts innovative contemporary jazz compositions that are enjoyable and memorable. Some of the music is featured in his 2025 debut album ‘Alleviate’. Don’t miss the chance to catch one of the UK’s brightest young talents. Donovan Haffner, winner of the 'Jazz Newcomer' category at the Jazz Parliamentary Awards 2025 is a south-east London born and bred alto saxophonist. Aged 11, Donovan joined the highly respected Tomorrow's Warriors Young Artist Development Programme and was mentored by Gary Crosby OBE, Binker Golding, and Alex Davis. He proved to be a stand-out talent and, by the age of 18, he was invited to tour Italy with multi-award-winning drummer Moses Boyd. Since then, Donovan has played with Jay Phelps, Charlie Stacey, Balimaya, and continues to play with Moses. He has also performed with the LA based pianist/composer Paul Cornish, and the Danish jazz pianist/composer Rasmus Sorenson and was selected by Tony Kofi to be part of, American jazz legend, Charles Tolliver's Big Band, headlining at the Barbican as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival. And Donovan is still very much part of the Tomorrow's Warriors musical family, performing with both Nu Civilisation Orchestra and Jazz Jamaica. However, it is his growing reputation as a bandleader and composer in his own right that is set to see Donovan come to the attention of jazz fans across the country. If you have already been lucky enough to catch Donovan play live in a venue (including sold out shows at London's Ronnie Scott's, PizzaExpress Soho, 606 Club, Foyles as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival and more, and also opening up for Kurt Rosenwinkel and Gerald Clayton at the Jazz Café) or at a festival (We Out Here, Love Supreme), then you will have been struck not just by the drive and sophistication of his playing, but also how he interprets his own compositions. To see him leading his quintet is to go on a journey with him through the music he loves, straight ahead and contemporary jazz - drawing on the inspiration of the musicians that have influenced him, including Kenny Garrett, Joel Ross, Immanuel Wilkins, Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter, and Walter Smith III – but enhanced with his own distinctive compositional style. Recorded with his quintet, Donovan's debut album Alleviate is a vitally exciting contemporary jazz recording, that reflects Donovan Haffner's burgeoning talent in a glowing light. This essential body of work undoubtedly positioned the young musician as a rising jazz star and one of 2025's breakthrough artists.