Xander Dawson

Saxophonist | Woodwind Doubler | Arranger

Xander Dawson is a saxophonist and woodwind doubler currently based in Boston. Originally from upstate New York, he has played in numerous productions ranging from educational theatre to professional regional productions. He currently plays woodwinds (flute/clarinet/alto sax/tenor sax) on Explora I, the first ship in the Explora Journeys fleet. Other notable performances include performing as the principal saxophonist in the New York All-State Music Festival in 2021 at the Eastman Theatre in Rochester, NY.

As a freelance woodwind doubler, he has worked with multiple theatre companies, including Speakeasy Stage Company, Boston University on Broadway, Emerson College, Berklee College of Music, and Running to Places Theatre Company. He also holds a chair with the Berklee Broadway Band as a multiple woodwind performer.

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. In 2022, he was awarded a national scholarship from the Music Performance Trust Fund.

Xander is studying saxophone performance at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee where he studies under renowned saxophonist Philipp Stäudlin. Xander is available as a freelance music copyist and transcriber. He has worked as a copyist with the Berklee Musical Theatre Club, The Broadway Band, and for Stan Stewart's jazz album, Put the Q in Jazz. He is also available as a session musician, composer/arranger, and woodwind doubler. Please don’t hesitate 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