BARITONE SAXOPHONIST Lauren Sevian came to New York to attend the Manhattan School of Music where she studied with Mark Turner, Donny McCaslin, Steve Slagle, Joe Temperley, and Mike Abene. Lauren is a regular member of groups such as: the
Mingus Big Band, Howard Johnson's "Bear-tones", The Big "O" Orchestra, the JC Hopkins Biggish Band, Ada Rovatti's Elephunk, and Travis Sullivan's Bjorkestra. She has performed with a variety of different groups including:
the Mingus Orchestra, Mario Pavone's Septet, Frank Lacy's Vibe Tribe, Benny Rietveld & the Matching Ensemble, Travis Sullivan's Identity Crisis, Charli Persip's Supersound, Mike Hashim's Billy Strayhorn Orchestra, Todd Londagin Big Band, Kendrick Oliver and the New Life Jazz Orchestra, David Cassidy & "the Rat Pack is Back", Mike Smith's Supper Club Orchestra, the Stan Rubin Orchestra, Earl McIntyre's Big Band, Diva, the Artie Shaw Orchestra, the Van Dells, the Benny Goodman Tribute Orchestra, the Harry James Orchestra, Sleve Slagle's Sax Quartet, Blue ..9, the Howard Williams Jazz Orchestra, the Ryles Jazz Orchestra, Gary Wofsey Jazz Orchestra, Istanbul Orchestra, Super 7, George Gee Orchestra, John Malino Big Band, singers Quinn Lemley, Deian McBride, Josh Weinstein and Liz Winick. She has been featured in such publications as
Saxophone Journal, Hothouse, the Boston Globe, and Newsday. She appeared in the hollywood movie production of
Mona Lisa Smile which starred actress Julia Roberts. She has done numerous recording projects & jingles with artists such as
Travis Sullivan's Bjorkestra, Ada Rovatti & Elephunk, Liz Winick, Blue Man Group, Greg Osby & Joan Osbourne. Lauren has traveled and toured throughout Europe and South America playing clubs & jazz festivals with many different groups. In the summer of 2007 she joined the faculty of the
Litchfield Jazz Camp as a teaching artist. In April 2008 she was invited to adjudicate & perform at the
Monterey Jazz Festival's "Next Generation" Festival, where she performed alongside
Christian McBride, Terry-Lynn Carrington, George Duke, Corey Christiansen, Billy Harper, Ron Westray, Sal Cracchiolo, & many others. She is married to fellow saxophonist Mike DiRubbo.
WHAT SOME HAVE SAID...
"From the first unaccompanied notes of Lauren Sevian’s baritone saxophone it was clear that the Mingus Big Band was in powerful, energetic form, both as the highlight of this year’s Jazz Weekend at the Bath International Music Festival and at the midpoint of their current British tour." --Alyn Shipton, Times Online
"Mingus Big Band gave a tyically rollicking show for a sold out audience on the Saturday night with baritone saxophonist Lauren Sevian setting the tone with her barnstorming solo on the opener, 'Moanin'." --Stephen Graham, Jazzwise Magazine
"Then the band...ripped into Mingus's rapid-fire blues ''Boogie Stop Shuffle."...Lauren Sevian soloed fluidly on the unwieldy baritone saxophone, building to a honking finish as the trumpets shrieked." --Kevin Lowenthal, Boston Globe correspondent (review of Mingus Big Band @ Regatta Bar, September 2nd 2005)
"Opening with a rousing version of "E's Flat, Ah's Flat Too" we wasted no time in launching into some serious and extended solos. First up was Lauren Sevian giving us a blistering baritone sax solo taking time to dip into the delicious lower register of this instrument." --Dave Barnes "The Live Music Report" (review of Mingus Big Band @ Toronto Jazz Festival)
"The basement's acoustics, coupled with the band's tremendous sound, helped enhance the warmth and softness of baritonist Lauren Sevian's tone during her solo on "Diane." The band's personnel are known to shift from time to time, so let's hope Sevian finds her way to town with the rest of the group." --Minnesota Spokesman/Recorder (review of Mingus Big Band)
"Lauren Sevian and Randy Brecker began the second piece with mournful, soulful refrains, as the deep baritone sax played the slower theme and imbued it with energy and even a danceable melody."--Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower, Roberta on the Arts (review of Mingus Big Band @ Iridium)
"Between the soloists emerge Lauren Sevian, perfectly comfortable on her
heavy instrument....."-AllAboutJazz Italy (review of Elephunk CD "For Rent")
