Winner of the “rising star” Downbeat Critics poll on baritone saxophone and a Grammy award winner as part of the Mingus Big Band, Lauren Sevian is one of the most in demand musicians on the scene today. Ms. Sevian came to NYC in 1997 to attend the Manhattan School of Music, and soon after started to tour with groups such as the Diva Jazz Orchestra. She has several groups and projects that she leads and is part of, her quartet, the LSQ, the winner of the Made in NY jazz competition “LSAT”, her quintet that she co-leads with alto saxophonist Alexa Tarantino, the all female collective “Lioness”, and a brand new duo with pianist Helen Sung that debuted at the Newport Jazz Festival in 2019. She has two recordings as a leader, “Blueprint” (winner of the SESAC jazz award in 2010) and her latest release “Bliss”, which features Robert Rodriguez, Christian McBride, E.J. Strickland, and Alexa Tarantino. She is a regular member of the Grammy Award winning Mingus Big Band, and has sat in the chair in many other notable big bands, including the legendary Count Basie Orchestra, Harry Connick Jr.’s big band, and the Dizzy Gillespe All Star big band. In addition to performing, Ms. Sevian is a highly sought after educator, guest artist, clinician, and adjudicator. Some highlights include Essentially Ellington, the Monterey Jazz Festivals “Next Generation Festival”, the Eau Claire Jazz Festival, the Victoria Music Festival in Melbourne, Australia, a week long residency at Lexington High School and many others. She serves on faculty at the Manhattan School of Music, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and has taught at many places including the New School, NJPAC, Jazz House Kids, and the Brooklyn Conservatory of music.