Rising Star | Oslojazz 2026
Saxophonist Sarah Hanahan has, over the past couple of years, established herself as one of the exciting new voices in jazz, and has also gained recognition beyond the inner jazz community. In 2025, she was named #1 Rising Star on Alto Saxophone by DownBeat, and her debut album Among Giants received a full score in the same magazine. Earlier this year, she delivered a fantastic concert at Herr Nilsen, and now she is returning to the same stage during Oslo Jazz Festival!
Her playing is characterized by a deep and soulful tone, with enormous respect for tradition while also taking bold, forward-looking steps. On her debut album Among Giants, she blends original compositions with standards by John Coltrane, Hoagy Carmichael, and Burt Bacharach & Hal David, with great success.
Throughout her career, she has performed with artists such as Joe Farnsworth, Emmet Cohen, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jeff "Tain" Watts, and the Grammy-winning Mingus Big Band. She regularly appears at leading jazz clubs in New York City, such as Dizzy's Club (Jazz at Lincoln Center), Smalls Jazz Club, and Birdland, and tours extensively throughout the USA — and now also in Europe. It is a great pleasure to welcome Sarah Hanahan back to Herr Nilsen!
Sarah Hanahan – saxophone, band TBA
Concert starts: 16.00
Doors open: 15.00