Xander Dawson

Saxophonist | Woodwind Doubler | Arranger

Xander Dawson is a saxophonist, woodwind doubler, composer, and arranger, based in Boston and upstate New York. He started to play the saxophone at age ten, and since then, he has studied styles of music ranging from jazz to classical. In addition to the saxophone, he plays the flute, clarinet, piano, and is a vocalist. He has played in pit orchestras as a woodwind doubler.

Xander has been able to play and gig with local musicians in pit orchestras, bands, and honor ensembles. One of his most notable performances was performing as the principal saxophonist in the New York All-State Music Festival. As a freelance woodwind doubler, he has worked with multiple theatre companies including Running to Places, Boston University on Broadway, and Encore Players Community Theatre. He also holds a chair with the Berklee Broadway Band as a woodwind doubler.

His most notable recognitions include being a finalist in the Indie Film Music Contest on the short film Next Flight Home. He was also a recipient of the Berklee Online Celebrity Scholarship where he holds an Advanced Professional Certificate in Music Theory, Harmony, and Ear Training.

Xander is currently studying saxophone performance at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee where he studies under renowned saxophonist Philipp Stäudlin. He is available as a woodwind doubler, session musician, composer/arranger, and copyist. Feel free to get in touch for any inquiries.

“The sax playing is the stand-out on this track, balanced pushy harsh notes along with the most delicate of touches. The sax soars away with the melody in a raspy, improvised, tonal reflection of the original theme, almost delicate in its note placement. A gorgeous sax-led section adds variation and reflection.”
— Sammy Stein, United Kingdom, Jazz Views Reviews