Oscar Lavën

Oscar Lavën is an acclaimed saxophonist/bassoonist/clarinettist/multi-instrumentalist, composer and arranger based in the beautiful city of Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand.

A busy performer across many genres presenting an impressive array of performances, Oscar Lavën has played on stages around the world with many famous artists such as Steve Gadd, Dave Weckl, John Beasley's Grammy-winning MONKestra, James Carter, Dennis Chambers, Gregg Bissonette, Lalah Hathaway, Robben Ford, Chris Cain, The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, STROMA, Hollie Smith, Rhombus, The Rodger Fox Big Band and many more, as well as playing on several film soundtracks.

His dynamic musical style draws influence from jazz, rhythm & blues, classical music and soul, which can be heard on his albums Questions in Red and Elegant Calamity, which received international acclaim and radio play around the world, with more music on the way.

Having honed his craft studying jazz in New York, currently teaches at Victoria University's New Zealand School of Music Jazz Program, is the musical director for The Wellington Mingus Ensemble and The New Zealand Swing Quartet, and leads the saxophone section in the newlyformed Aotearoa Jazz Orchestra, New Zealand’s jazz orchestra, as well as the Royal New Zealand Air Force Jazz Orchestra.

“His improvisations consistently reveal an immersion in the tradition balanced with a fearless, joyful and searching personality of his own.” - UK Jazz News