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I’m honored to receive a 2026 David Baker Prize! A panel consisting of master musicians @stevewilsonsax @johnclaytonjazz @billychildspiano selected my piece “Dagbé” for a premier at the @raviniafestival on June 10th. Congratulations to all the friends in the cohort and I’m looking forward to meeting these new folks at the festival too. See you soon Chicago!

This is the one of four paid opportunities as a composer that I’ve received in the last month. Two are commissions for high school bands and one I can’t announce. I have always loved composing and would be thrilled to see my career continue to grow in this direction. Last week I finished mixing myoctet album and I hope to get it to your ears very soon!

I’m honored to receive a 2026 David Baker Prize! A panel consisting of master musicians @stevewilsonsax @johnclaytonjazz @billychildspiano selected my piece “Dagbé” for a premier at the @raviniafestival on June 10th. Congratulations to all the friends in the cohort and I’m looking forward to meeting these new folks at the festival too. See you soon Chicago!

This is the one of four paid opportunities as a composer that I’ve received in the last month. Two are commissions for high school bands and one I can’t announce. I have always loved composing and would be thrilled to see my career continue to grow in this direction. Last week I finished mixing myoctet album and I hope to get it to your ears very soon!

Finishing 2025 strong 🏃‍♂️🏁 Despite everything this was my favorite year in NYC yet. Here are 🔟 highlights:

Won the NYCruns Prospect Park 10mi race in 1:01:50 (6:11/mile)

Played at The Jazz Gallery with Miguel Zenon big band

Recieved an artistic projects grant from Chamber Music America

Did a 21-day US tour with love call

(Inspired by Camille) I boycotted Amazon, Spotify, DoorDash, and every other major delivery service

Began an ongoing partnership with KeyedUp sponsoring my weekly jazz series at sugar monk. The bar was also selected by #resy as “one of the best places to listen to hear live jazz in NYC”

Recorded on several sessions as a sideman

Led bands at some awesome venues around NYC including The Jazz Museum in Harlem, Bar Bayeux and Cafe Ornithology

Campaigned in the primary/general election for NYC mayor-elect #zohranmamdani

Recorded “Feet Don’t Change” as a band leader

Finishing 2025 strong 🏃‍♂️🏁 Despite everything this was my favorite year in NYC yet. Here are 🔟 highlights:

Won the NYCruns Prospect Park 10mi race in 1:01:50 (6:11/mile)

Played at The Jazz Gallery with Miguel Zenon big band

Recieved an artistic projects grant from Chamber Music America

Did a 21-day US tour with love call

(Inspired by Camille) I boycotted Amazon, Spotify, DoorDash, and every other major delivery service

Began an ongoing partnership with KeyedUp sponsoring my weekly jazz series at sugar monk. The bar was also selected by #resy as “one of the best places to listen to hear live jazz in NYC”

Recorded on several sessions as a sideman

Led bands at some awesome venues around NYC including The Jazz Museum in Harlem, Bar Bayeux and Cafe Ornithology

Campaigned in the primary/general election for NYC mayor-elect #zohranmamdani

Recorded “Feet Don’t Change” as a band leader

Finishing 2025 strong 🏃‍♂️🏁 Despite everything this was my favorite year in NYC yet. Here are 🔟 highlights:

Won the NYCruns Prospect Park 10mi race in 1:01:50 (6:11/mile)

Played at The Jazz Gallery with Miguel Zenon big band

Recieved an artistic projects grant from Chamber Music America

Did a 21-day US tour with love call

(Inspired by Camille) I boycotted Amazon, Spotify, DoorDash, and every other major delivery service

Began an ongoing partnership with KeyedUp sponsoring my weekly jazz series at sugar monk. The bar was also selected by #resy as “one of the best places to listen to hear live jazz in NYC”

Recorded on several sessions as a sideman

Led bands at some awesome venues around NYC including The Jazz Museum in Harlem, Bar Bayeux and Cafe Ornithology

Campaigned in the primary/general election for NYC mayor-elect #zohranmamdani

Recorded “Feet Don’t Change” as a band leader

Finishing 2025 strong 🏃‍♂️🏁 Despite everything this was my favorite year in NYC yet. Here are 🔟 highlights:

Won the NYCruns Prospect Park 10mi race in 1:01:50 (6:11/mile)

Played at The Jazz Gallery with Miguel Zenon big band

Recieved an artistic projects grant from Chamber Music America

Did a 21-day US tour with love call

(Inspired by Camille) I boycotted Amazon, Spotify, DoorDash, and every other major delivery service

Began an ongoing partnership with KeyedUp sponsoring my weekly jazz series at sugar monk. The bar was also selected by #resy as “one of the best places to listen to hear live jazz in NYC”

Recorded on several sessions as a sideman

Led bands at some awesome venues around NYC including The Jazz Museum in Harlem, Bar Bayeux and Cafe Ornithology

Campaigned in the primary/general election for NYC mayor-elect #zohranmamdani

Recorded “Feet Don’t Change” as a band leader

Finishing 2025 strong 🏃‍♂️🏁 Despite everything this was my favorite year in NYC yet. Here are 🔟 highlights:

Won the NYCruns Prospect Park 10mi race in 1:01:50 (6:11/mile)

Played at The Jazz Gallery with Miguel Zenon big band

Recieved an artistic projects grant from Chamber Music America

Did a 21-day US tour with love call

(Inspired by Camille) I boycotted Amazon, Spotify, DoorDash, and every other major delivery service

Began an ongoing partnership with KeyedUp sponsoring my weekly jazz series at sugar monk. The bar was also selected by #resy as “one of the best places to listen to hear live jazz in NYC”

Recorded on several sessions as a sideman

Led bands at some awesome venues around NYC including The Jazz Museum in Harlem, Bar Bayeux and Cafe Ornithology

Campaigned in the primary/general election for NYC mayor-elect #zohranmamdani

Recorded “Feet Don’t Change” as a band leader

Finishing 2025 strong 🏃‍♂️🏁 Despite everything this was my favorite year in NYC yet. Here are 🔟 highlights:

Won the NYCruns Prospect Park 10mi race in 1:01:50 (6:11/mile)

Played at The Jazz Gallery with Miguel Zenon big band

Recieved an artistic projects grant from Chamber Music America

Did a 21-day US tour with love call

(Inspired by Camille) I boycotted Amazon, Spotify, DoorDash, and every other major delivery service

Began an ongoing partnership with KeyedUp sponsoring my weekly jazz series at sugar monk. The bar was also selected by #resy as “one of the best places to listen to hear live jazz in NYC”

Recorded on several sessions as a sideman

Led bands at some awesome venues around NYC including The Jazz Museum in Harlem, Bar Bayeux and Cafe Ornithology

Campaigned in the primary/general election for NYC mayor-elect #zohranmamdani

Recorded “Feet Don’t Change” as a band leader

Finishing 2025 strong 🏃‍♂️🏁 Despite everything this was my favorite year in NYC yet. Here are 🔟 highlights:

Won the NYCruns Prospect Park 10mi race in 1:01:50 (6:11/mile)

Played at The Jazz Gallery with Miguel Zenon big band

Recieved an artistic projects grant from Chamber Music America

Did a 21-day US tour with love call

(Inspired by Camille) I boycotted Amazon, Spotify, DoorDash, and every other major delivery service

Began an ongoing partnership with KeyedUp sponsoring my weekly jazz series at sugar monk. The bar was also selected by #resy as “one of the best places to listen to hear live jazz in NYC”

Recorded on several sessions as a sideman

Led bands at some awesome venues around NYC including The Jazz Museum in Harlem, Bar Bayeux and Cafe Ornithology

Campaigned in the primary/general election for NYC mayor-elect #zohranmamdani

Recorded “Feet Don’t Change” as a band leader

Finishing 2025 strong 🏃‍♂️🏁 Despite everything this was my favorite year in NYC yet. Here are 🔟 highlights:

Won the NYCruns Prospect Park 10mi race in 1:01:50 (6:11/mile)

Played at The Jazz Gallery with Miguel Zenon big band

Recieved an artistic projects grant from Chamber Music America

Did a 21-day US tour with love call

(Inspired by Camille) I boycotted Amazon, Spotify, DoorDash, and every other major delivery service

Began an ongoing partnership with KeyedUp sponsoring my weekly jazz series at sugar monk. The bar was also selected by #resy as “one of the best places to listen to hear live jazz in NYC”

Recorded on several sessions as a sideman

Led bands at some awesome venues around NYC including The Jazz Museum in Harlem, Bar Bayeux and Cafe Ornithology

Campaigned in the primary/general election for NYC mayor-elect #zohranmamdani

Recorded “Feet Don’t Change” as a band leader

Finishing 2025 strong 🏃‍♂️🏁 Despite everything this was my favorite year in NYC yet. Here are 🔟 highlights:

Won the NYCruns Prospect Park 10mi race in 1:01:50 (6:11/mile)

Played at The Jazz Gallery with Miguel Zenon big band

Recieved an artistic projects grant from Chamber Music America

Did a 21-day US tour with love call

(Inspired by Camille) I boycotted Amazon, Spotify, DoorDash, and every other major delivery service

Began an ongoing partnership with KeyedUp sponsoring my weekly jazz series at sugar monk. The bar was also selected by #resy as “one of the best places to listen to hear live jazz in NYC”

Recorded on several sessions as a sideman

Led bands at some awesome venues around NYC including The Jazz Museum in Harlem, Bar Bayeux and Cafe Ornithology

Campaigned in the primary/general election for NYC mayor-elect #zohranmamdani

Recorded “Feet Don’t Change” as a band leader

Finishing 2025 strong 🏃‍♂️🏁 Despite everything this was my favorite year in NYC yet. Here are 🔟 highlights:

Won the NYCruns Prospect Park 10mi race in 1:01:50 (6:11/mile)

Played at The Jazz Gallery with Miguel Zenon big band

Recieved an artistic projects grant from Chamber Music America

Did a 21-day US tour with love call

(Inspired by Camille) I boycotted Amazon, Spotify, DoorDash, and every other major delivery service

Began an ongoing partnership with KeyedUp sponsoring my weekly jazz series at sugar monk. The bar was also selected by #resy as “one of the best places to listen to hear live jazz in NYC”

Recorded on several sessions as a sideman

Led bands at some awesome venues around NYC including The Jazz Museum in Harlem, Bar Bayeux and Cafe Ornithology

Campaigned in the primary/general election for NYC mayor-elect #zohranmamdani

Recorded “Feet Don’t Change” as a band leader

Here’s a moment from Bar Bayeux on Saturday. It was a great night. Thank you to everyone who came out! More gigs are on the books for this band already.

#jazz #music #brooklyn #saxophone #piano #bass #drums #red

This Wednesday 10:30pm@nyc_close_up — originals by me as well as favorites from Geri, Duke and others. Come play! 🗞️🎷

This Wednesday 10:30pm@nyc_close_up — originals by me as well as favorites from Geri, Duke and others. Come play! 🗞️🎷

✨ Ochin Pakhi is proud to present the Max Bessesen Trio — an amazing contemporary jazz group led by NYC-based saxophonist and composer Max Bessesen 🎷

Join us as we kick off the *GaanMela Festival Series* with our first summer pop-up concert by the lake at Blue Jay Café.

🗓 Sunday, June 7
🕡 6:30 PM
📍 Blue Jay Café, Rogers Park, Chicago

🎟️ Free and open to all

Live jazz, lakeside breeze, and summer vibes—this is just the beginning.
Stay tuned for more events from the GaanMela Festival Series (link in the bio)

This project is partially supported by a Neighborhood Access Program grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

Also special thanks to our fiscal sponsor Mandala Arts @mandalaartschi
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#GaanMela #ochinpakhichicago #RogersPark #livejazz #chisummershow

Nice shot from way back at@rhizome_dc !

Looking forward to playing 🎷trio at 8 this evening at new venue @night_club_101 with @iamsimonwillson and @angusmasonplaysthedrums

📸 Kevin Matthews

Hope to see some friends next Friday!

#saxophone #jazz #nycjazz #nyc #brooklyn

Hope to see you at one of these shows this month! #happynewyear 🥳

Still floating after recording last week 🌥️ The band sounded so amazing and the staff at @oktavenaudio are setting the standard in their detailed attention to notated music.

Recording in New York is daunting. The number of incredible artists relative to the number of opportunities here often makes me question whether I should do it at all: Like “is there anything I can add to the scene? Y’all are *so* good!” But the audience response we’ve been getting combined with the talent/enthusiasm of everyone involved in “Feet Don’t Change” gave me the boost I needed to lead us through the session, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. Endless thanks to the band for playing so beautifully and special shout out to @josephherbstmusic forproducing!

More gigs and announcements about this band are coming—we even had a special guest join us in the studio 👀 but for the next couple of months I’m going to be focusing on mixing and some of my small group projects. I have leader/coleader gigs at @cafeornithology @barbayeux and elsewhere around the east coast in the next month so I hope to see you out there 🍻🎄#jazz #nycjazz #saxophone #violin

📸 @that_bari_guy_bryan

(Also someone had to be cropped out of the group photo so #joshhenderson is featured prominently in slide 3 instead 😅)

Still floating after recording last week 🌥️ The band sounded so amazing and the staff at @oktavenaudio are setting the standard in their detailed attention to notated music.

Recording in New York is daunting. The number of incredible artists relative to the number of opportunities here often makes me question whether I should do it at all: Like “is there anything I can add to the scene? Y’all are *so* good!” But the audience response we’ve been getting combined with the talent/enthusiasm of everyone involved in “Feet Don’t Change” gave me the boost I needed to lead us through the session, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. Endless thanks to the band for playing so beautifully and special shout out to @josephherbstmusic forproducing!

More gigs and announcements about this band are coming—we even had a special guest join us in the studio 👀 but for the next couple of months I’m going to be focusing on mixing and some of my small group projects. I have leader/coleader gigs at @cafeornithology @barbayeux and elsewhere around the east coast in the next month so I hope to see you out there 🍻🎄#jazz #nycjazz #saxophone #violin

📸 @that_bari_guy_bryan

(Also someone had to be cropped out of the group photo so #joshhenderson is featured prominently in slide 3 instead 😅)

Still floating after recording last week 🌥️ The band sounded so amazing and the staff at @oktavenaudio are setting the standard in their detailed attention to notated music.

Recording in New York is daunting. The number of incredible artists relative to the number of opportunities here often makes me question whether I should do it at all: Like “is there anything I can add to the scene? Y’all are *so* good!” But the audience response we’ve been getting combined with the talent/enthusiasm of everyone involved in “Feet Don’t Change” gave me the boost I needed to lead us through the session, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. Endless thanks to the band for playing so beautifully and special shout out to @josephherbstmusic forproducing!

More gigs and announcements about this band are coming—we even had a special guest join us in the studio 👀 but for the next couple of months I’m going to be focusing on mixing and some of my small group projects. I have leader/coleader gigs at @cafeornithology @barbayeux and elsewhere around the east coast in the next month so I hope to see you out there 🍻🎄#jazz #nycjazz #saxophone #violin

📸 @that_bari_guy_bryan

(Also someone had to be cropped out of the group photo so #joshhenderson is featured prominently in slide 3 instead 😅)

Still floating after recording last week 🌥️ The band sounded so amazing and the staff at @oktavenaudio are setting the standard in their detailed attention to notated music.

Recording in New York is daunting. The number of incredible artists relative to the number of opportunities here often makes me question whether I should do it at all: Like “is there anything I can add to the scene? Y’all are *so* good!” But the audience response we’ve been getting combined with the talent/enthusiasm of everyone involved in “Feet Don’t Change” gave me the boost I needed to lead us through the session, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. Endless thanks to the band for playing so beautifully and special shout out to @josephherbstmusic forproducing!

More gigs and announcements about this band are coming—we even had a special guest join us in the studio 👀 but for the next couple of months I’m going to be focusing on mixing and some of my small group projects. I have leader/coleader gigs at @cafeornithology @barbayeux and elsewhere around the east coast in the next month so I hope to see you out there 🍻🎄#jazz #nycjazz #saxophone #violin

📸 @that_bari_guy_bryan

(Also someone had to be cropped out of the group photo so #joshhenderson is featured prominently in slide 3 instead 😅)

Still floating after recording last week 🌥️ The band sounded so amazing and the staff at @oktavenaudio are setting the standard in their detailed attention to notated music.

Recording in New York is daunting. The number of incredible artists relative to the number of opportunities here often makes me question whether I should do it at all: Like “is there anything I can add to the scene? Y’all are *so* good!” But the audience response we’ve been getting combined with the talent/enthusiasm of everyone involved in “Feet Don’t Change” gave me the boost I needed to lead us through the session, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. Endless thanks to the band for playing so beautifully and special shout out to @josephherbstmusic forproducing!

More gigs and announcements about this band are coming—we even had a special guest join us in the studio 👀 but for the next couple of months I’m going to be focusing on mixing and some of my small group projects. I have leader/coleader gigs at @cafeornithology @barbayeux and elsewhere around the east coast in the next month so I hope to see you out there 🍻🎄#jazz #nycjazz #saxophone #violin

📸 @that_bari_guy_bryan

(Also someone had to be cropped out of the group photo so #joshhenderson is featured prominently in slide 3 instead 😅)

Still floating after recording last week 🌥️ The band sounded so amazing and the staff at @oktavenaudio are setting the standard in their detailed attention to notated music.

Recording in New York is daunting. The number of incredible artists relative to the number of opportunities here often makes me question whether I should do it at all: Like “is there anything I can add to the scene? Y’all are *so* good!” But the audience response we’ve been getting combined with the talent/enthusiasm of everyone involved in “Feet Don’t Change” gave me the boost I needed to lead us through the session, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. Endless thanks to the band for playing so beautifully and special shout out to @josephherbstmusic forproducing!

More gigs and announcements about this band are coming—we even had a special guest join us in the studio 👀 but for the next couple of months I’m going to be focusing on mixing and some of my small group projects. I have leader/coleader gigs at @cafeornithology @barbayeux and elsewhere around the east coast in the next month so I hope to see you out there 🍻🎄#jazz #nycjazz #saxophone #violin

📸 @that_bari_guy_bryan

(Also someone had to be cropped out of the group photo so #joshhenderson is featured prominently in slide 3 instead 😅)

Still floating after recording last week 🌥️ The band sounded so amazing and the staff at @oktavenaudio are setting the standard in their detailed attention to notated music.

Recording in New York is daunting. The number of incredible artists relative to the number of opportunities here often makes me question whether I should do it at all: Like “is there anything I can add to the scene? Y’all are *so* good!” But the audience response we’ve been getting combined with the talent/enthusiasm of everyone involved in “Feet Don’t Change” gave me the boost I needed to lead us through the session, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. Endless thanks to the band for playing so beautifully and special shout out to @josephherbstmusic forproducing!

More gigs and announcements about this band are coming—we even had a special guest join us in the studio 👀 but for the next couple of months I’m going to be focusing on mixing and some of my small group projects. I have leader/coleader gigs at @cafeornithology @barbayeux and elsewhere around the east coast in the next month so I hope to see you out there 🍻🎄#jazz #nycjazz #saxophone #violin

📸 @that_bari_guy_bryan

(Also someone had to be cropped out of the group photo so #joshhenderson is featured prominently in slide 3 instead 😅)

Feet Don’t Change plays JMIH one week from today on Wednesday 12/10. Come wish us well before we hit the studio!

This is the culmination of 3 years of steady preparation and almost a decade of dreaming. I’ve dedicated about 800 hours to composing, practicing, organizing and writing text for THIS. The band sounds so incredible and they have put a lot into this music. We’d really appreciate your support plus it’s FREE. Join us!!

#saxophone #musician #jazz

Playing on “First Language” by @miguelzenonmusic at @thejazzgallery I’ve been listening to this song for over a decade so it was a great experience to play it with the composer last weekend. If you watch for a few seconds you’ll glimpse Miguel conducting the amazing band he put together for this!

#saxophone #jazz #nyc