Sarah Hanahan International Quintet

Since her arrival on the New York jazz scene, young saxophonist Sarah Hanahan has quickly established herself as one of the most acclaimed and captivating voices in contemporary jazz. Her energetic style boldly blends swing and bebop traditions with modern playing techniques, showcasing her fearless artistic vision. Her debut album "Among Giants", released in 2024, was awarded five stars by Downbeat magazine. She has toured with Joe Farnsworth and Emmet Cohen, and is currently a member of the Mingus Big Band, firmly placing her among the greats. For her International Quintet, Sarah Hanahan has joined forces with old and new collaborators. Slawek Plizga and Matteo Burci, who both live in Bern, form a tight-knit rhythm section with Elmar Frey. Caelan Cardello, Hanahan’s “house pianist” from New York, completes the quintet. Frey and Hanahan first shared the stage in 2025. The two hit it off musically right away, which led to the idea of launching a long-term project – one that is now being presented for the very first time in Zurich.