Praised as "an inventive musician" (The New York Times), "inspired" (Washington Post), and a "sharp new music saxophonist" (Time Out New York), Brian Sacawa has firmly established himself as an important contemporary voice for his instrument. Active internationally as a soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician, his versatile career has led to appearances ranging from the concert stage to club settings as well as the premieres of over 50 new works by both established and emerging composers. Mr. Sacawa's critically acclaimed, Grammy-winning recordings can be heard on the Naxos, Innova, Equilibrium, and BiBimBop record labels. He holds degrees from the University of Michigan, the Peabody Conservatory, and the University of Massachusetts--Amherst, where he studied with Donald Sinta, Gary Louie, and Lynn Klock. With composer/turntablist Erik Spangler (a.k.a. DJ Dubble8, Sacawa performs in the genre-bending duo Hybrid Groove Project and curates Mobtown Modern, a new music series at Baltimore's Contemporary Museum. He is also the author of the blog Sounds Like Now. Mr. Sacawa currently serves as saxophonist with The U.S. Army Field Band and on the faculty of the University of Maryland Baltimore County. He lives in Baltimore, MD with his wife, music journalist Molly Sheridan.

Press Quotes:
"An inventive musician . . . fresh and surprising . . . vividly lyrical."
Allan Kozinn, The New York Times

"Sharp new music saxophonist."
Steve Smith, Time Out New York

"Miller Theater is not kidding around with a Brian Sacawa saxophone recital."
Alex Ross, The Rest Is Noise

"New music should be grateful to have Brian Sacawa in its corner."
Jed Distler, The Gramophone

"The inspired saxophonist Brian Sacawa."
Daniel Ginsburg, The Washington Post

"Brilliant saxophonist."
Tim Smith, The Baltimore Sun

“Sacawa’s playing was consistently intense and energetic . . . just sensational.”
David Salvage, Sequenza21

“An amazing new music saxophonist.”
Charles Amirkhanian, Director of Other Minds Festival

“Alexandra Gardner’s Tourmaline surrounded the saxophonist Brian Sacawa’s graceful lines and flutters with bustling electronic counterpoint and ghostly echoes.”
Steve Smith, The New York Times

“The languid, stylish saxophone playing of Brian Sacawa . . . [stood out] in an excellent, resourceful chamber ensemble.”
Lawrence Budmen, Music & Vision (Miami, FL)

“Another notable newcomer was saxophonist Brian Sacawa, whose work on soprano, alto, and tenor sax was strikingly beautiful.”
Seth Williamson, The Roanoke Times

“Brian Sacawa exhibits a strong and vibrant sound . . . a master of his instrument.”
Paul Wagner, Saxophone Journal

"American Voices is, without doubt, a CD you need. The performances by Mr. Sacawa are amazing and the music selected is equally so. This is music that every sax player you know needs to perform and that every music listener you know needs to hear."
Jay Batzner, Sequenza 21

"Brian Sacawa's American Voices makes an excellent case for Sacawa's skill as a player, but it also provides insight to the wide variety of options that composers are making available to artists of his caliber and specially developed talents. Rest assured, with players like Brian Sacawa on the scene, guys like John Harle should be running scared."
Uncle Dave Lewis, AllMusic Guide

“Brian Sacawa gives no quarter.”
Rob Barnett, MusicWeb International

“ A player so skilled in the art of extreme saxophonics that he makes the employment of robot musicians pointless.”
Kalvos & Damian’s New Music Bazaar, WGDR FM 91.1

Critic’s Choice for Classical Music
Baltimore CITYPAPER (2002)