Alec Haavik(American)
JZ School Instructor, Saxophone, Jazz Theory  Tenor and soprano saxophonist Alec Haavik grew up in the New York City area and has lived in Shanghai since 2006. Before arriving in China, he lived and worked in Seoul, Korea and Taipei, Taiwan. Alec's group, Alec Haavik Friction Five, features his original, rock-infused compositions and performs Tuesdays at JZ. While known as a "sax man" in Shanghai, Alec has studied and performed on many instruments, including drums, guitar, and trombone. Playing in bands as diverse as punk rock, salsa, and soca, he gained a tapestry of sounds which influence his improvisations. Alec is known for his unique, physically-intense performances and for his interactions with the audience. He writes intricate yet accessible music based on specific personal experiences. For example, "42 Bus," depicts the unfolding view of long bus ride, while "Oxytocin in the Tundra" describes the wait, stages, and conclusion of his son's birth. Check out these and other tunes on Alec's upcoming CD, "Friction: Five (+ 3)" due out in September. The CD features Alec's local band, an international group of players, who have appeared at JZ for nearly two years. The CD also includes such audience favorites as "Kai's Blues" (the story of his son learning to walk) and "Ye Shanghai," a local pop anthem from the 1940s spun into a ska/reggae celebration. 
Alec's first CD, Rocks, introduces listeners to his penchant for both ballads and rock explosions. Played by a group of remarkable musicians based in New York City, the CD includes such tracks as "Make It Happen," which blends 80's pop, polytonal reggae, and Miles Davis 70's fusion, and "Ebay," inspired by Jimi Hendrix and the atonal music of 20th Century composer, Anton Von Webern. Alec received his Master's in Jazz Performance from the Manhattan School of Music. He has studied with such influential performers as Mark Turner, Ralph Bowen, and George Garzone, and has played with performers Jane Monheit, Jack Walrath, Daniel Carter, Taro Koyama, Gregory Hutchinson, Shoko Nagai, Ronnie Burrage, and Eric Harland. |
