About Me
Xander Johns is an award-winning composer, music producer, and saxophonist with over (12+) years of professional performance experience,
His extensive background in saxophone performance has led him to perform on stages worldwide, captivating audiences at prestigious jazz festivals across Europe and North America, including France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Italy, Canada, Belgium, and the USA. He has performed at notable venues including Lincoln Center, Jazz à Montreux, KNKX Public Radio, North Sea Jazz, Umbria Jazz Festival, Jazz à Vienne, Earshot Jazz, Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, and Benaroya Hall. Xander has shared the stage with esteemed musicians and bands including the Seattle Symphony, Chad LB, Carmen Bradford, David Sanchez, Edward Simon, Warren Wolf, Matt Brewer, Michael Rodriguez, Rodney Whitaker, Vincent Gardner, Matt Wilson, and Joe LaBarbera.
Xander produces music under his full name Xander Johns. He is part of the electronic music duo Sundust with fellow producer Saezo, as well as the progressive jazz-rock band Tiny Planet. As a versatile freelance musician, he also crafts compositions for various media, including film, television, advertisements, and video games.
Xander's journey in music education began in 2016 when he started teaching saxophone lessons at Leschi Elementary School with Seattle Music Partners. In 2018 he was elected the recipient of the Waldo King Award, after helping lead the Roosevelt Jazz Band to a 4th place finish at Essentially Ellington, igniting his passion for teaching and leading others. Later, he founded his private lessons studio, Xander Music Lessons, with a mission to help musicians realize their musical goals and enhance their love of music.
In 2022, Xander completed his Bachelor of Music degree at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. During his time there, he studied privately with esteemed musicians Chad LB, David Sanchez, Edward Simon, Steve Davis, Lenny Kiser, and Matt Levine.
Beyond music, Xander has a great interest in meditation, spiritual practice, psychology, dance, and community building. In 2023, Xander took a year-long hiatus from music performance to live in a Buddhist monastery in California, returning with fresh ears and a renewed love for music.
 Xander Performing Talkbox with Sundust |  Xander and the Roosevelt Big Band Saxophone section |
|---|---|
 Recording Engineering at Cha Chi Ming Hall |  Performing Bari Sax at the North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam |
 Sundust Performs at the Sky Church |  Roosevelt Jazz Band 1 at the North Sea Jazz Festival |
 Tiny Planet Performs at the Nectar Lounge |  Xander with Wynton Marsalis - After Receiving the Award for 'Outstanding Baritone Saxophone' |
"I light up when I see students connecting and engaging with music deeply in their hearts and minds. I'm constantly pushing myself to learn new ways to bring music to life, sharing my joy and enthusiasm for music with others."