Alex Sipiagin
Alex Sipiagin has performed at jazz festivals worldwide with the likes of Dave Holland, Michael Brecker, the Mingus groups, etc. Born on June 11, 1967 in Yaroslavl, Russia, Alex began studying the trumpet at age 12, studying at the Moscow Music Institute and the Gnessin Conservatory in Moscow where he received his Baccalaureate. In 1990, Alex participated in the International Louis Armstrong Competition sponsored by the Thelonious Monk Institute in Washington D.C. winning top honors. Soon after he relocated to the jazz mecca of the world, New York City. Alex soon became a favored player with various bands including the Gil Evans Orchestra, Gil Goldstein's Zebra Coast Orchestra, the George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band, drummer Bob Moses' band Mozamba, Mingus Big Band as well as the Mingus Dynasty and Mingus Orchestra, and the Dave Holland Big Band, Sextet and Octet groups. In 2003 he recorded with Michael Brecker's Quindectet touring also with the Michael Brecker Sextet. Alex has also worked with Eric Clapton, Dr. John, Aaron Neville, Elvis Costello, Michael Franks, Dave Sanborn, Deborah Cox, legendary producer Phil Ramone, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, etc., and many of the recordings he has been involved in have been nominated and/or won Grammys (Dave Holland Big Band's 'What Goes Around', and 'Overtime', Michael Brecker's Qindectet 'Wide Angles'). As a soloist, Sipiagin has eleven recordings out to his credit and has toured extensively throughout Europe, U.S., Japan and Russia with his own group. He also teaches at the Groningen Prince Claus Conservatory, Academy of Music, Basel, Switzerland as well as a steady professorship at NYU. Recorded 15 solo albums for the prestigious jazz label CrissCrossJazz. His recent album of his compositions and arrangements 'Balance 38-58' features such noted musicians as Eric Harland, David Binney, Adam Rogers and Matt Brewer.