Sarah Hanahan Quartet with Julius Rodriguez, Jermaine Paul & Kyle Poole
Lineup
About the Event
Led by acclaimed alto saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Sarah Hanahan, the Sarah Hanahan Quartet brings a powerful, soulful approach to contemporary jazz, rooted in the traditions of swing and bebop while embracing a bold, modern sensibility. Featuring Hanahan’s commanding sound, melodic imagination, and original compositions, the quartet delivers performances that balance dynamic interplay, rhythmic intensity, and expressive storytelling. A graduate of the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz and The Juilliard School, Hanahan has performed with artists including Jeff “Tain” Watts, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Nicholas Payton, and Peter Washington, and is a regular member of the Mingus Big Band. Her debut album, Among Giants (Blue Engine Records, 2024), received a five-star review from DownBeat, was named among the magazine’s Best Albums of 2024, and was selected by NPR as an Essential Jazz Discovery of the year. In 2025, Hanahan was named the #1 Rising Star Alto Saxophonist in the DownBeat Critics Poll and ranked #9 overall Alto Saxophonist in the DownBeat Readers Poll. Through original music and a deep connection to the jazz tradition, the Sarah Hanahan Quartet offers audiences an engaging and distinctive live experience, showcasing one of the leading emerging voices in contemporary jazz.
Shows at Sam First are open to anyone ages 14 and older.