Oscar Laven

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 newly-

formed Aotearoa Jazz Orchestra, New Zealand’s jazz orchestra, as well

as the Royal New Zealand Air Force Jazz Orchestra.
Oscar Lavën plays Selmer Paris saxophones and clarinets.

“His improvisations consistently reveal an immersion in the tradition

balanced with a fearless, joyful and searching personality of his own.” -

UK Jazz News

Gear

Saxophones - Selmer Paris
Clarinets - Selmer Paris

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