Here you can find press pics and quotes, an official bio in English and German. All current press pics (2025) are by Anita Wąsik-Płocińska. Higher print resolutions are available on request. If you scroll down I have several other press pics, all available with photo credits on request.

SHORT BIO

Hayden Chisholm is a New Zealand saxophonist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist. His work ranges from several acclaimed jazz recordings to sound installations, film scores, and festival curation. Alongside his passion for jazz and improvised music, he has been a spirited explorer and teacher of harmonics, intonation, and sound as a healing modality. Awarded with Germany’s prestigeous SWR Jazz Prize, the Jury stated "With microtonal density and subtle expressiveness, the native New Zealander has found an unmistakable and highly original way of expression, especially on the alto saxophone. The musician, who lives in Cologne and Belgrade, impresses equally with his visionary artistic attitude, which is expressed in a comprehensive conceptual way of thinking”.

COMPREHENSIVE BIO

Hayden Chisholm is a New Zealand saxophonist and composer who has become one of the world’s unique voices on the saxophone. After studying in Cologne with a DAAD scholarship he continued his music studies in Japan in India. In 1995 he developed a new microtonal system he termed "split scales" for saxophone which he revealed on his debut solo CD "Circe". Since then his compositions have been recorded by BBC and WDR radios and he has toured and recorded extensively worldwide. He has created music for several Rebecca Horn installations in some the world’s most prestigious museums as well as composing scores for her films. In 2008 he was assistant director in the Salzburger Festspiele for the opera Luci Mie Traditrici by Sciarrino. He has taught at Universities and gives yearly master classes in Pelion, Greece. He curated 10 editions of the Plushmusic festival in Cologne and was artistic director of the Thessaloniki Jazz festival in 2018. In 2013 he released the 13 Box Set "13 Views of the Heart's Cargo" and received the German SWR Jazz Prize. In 2015 he was Improvisor in Residence in Moers and opened the Moers Jazz Festival. In 2016 he released his second 13CD box "Cusp of Oblivion" and directed his first short film Sisyphus Runs. After moving to Belgrade in 2016 he curated the Dortjol Festival and founded the BAM club which has hosted already several international acts and become one of the most important clubs in the West Balkans. Alongside his music he is active as an ultra trail runner and regularly competes in the 100km + distances. He continues to record, teach, and perform in various formations.

Press Quotes

“Noticeable in the first thirty seconds of the disc's opener is Hayden's tone on alto sax, perhaps the clearest, purist sound of any saxophonist out there today, rivaling—perhaps surpassing—that of one of Duke Ellington's main alto men, Johnny Hodges.” Allaboutjazz

Press Photos Continued. All of the following photos from various photographers can also be requested with photo credits etc