2026 Guggenheim Fellow.
2008 Thelonious Monk Saxophone Competition Winner.
The only jazz musician in history to hold both distinctions. Named one of New York City's 25 Jazz Icons by Time Out New York. Saxophonist. Composer. Bandleader. Faculty, University of Illinois Chicago.
Now Booking: 2026–27 Academic Residencies
Jon is now accepting residency bookings for the 2026–27 school year — masterclasses, live performance, ensemble work, panel discussion, and more.
Every engagement is built around your institution.
The upcoming performances of Rebellion(s) at Walter Werkplaats in Brussels, Belgium and the Jazzdor Festival in Berlin, Germany are supported by Mid Atlantic Arts through USArtists International in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Mellon Foundation.
“Saxophonist Jon Irabagon never fails to bring the sound of surprise on his albums, no matter what the format.”
–Tim Niland, Jazz and Blues Blog
In April 2026, Irabagon was named a Guggenheim Fellow — one of 223 selected from nearly 5,000 applicants. His Guggenheim Fellowship recognizes him as a composer of singular voice. His 2008 Thelonious Monk Saxophone Competition win recognizes him as an improviser and saxophonist of the highest caliber.
Together, they make him the only jazz musician in history to hold both distinctions — elite on both sides of the art form. He is also a Downbeat Magazine Rising Star honoree for both alto and tenor saxophone, and a recipient of the Philippine Presidential Award, the highest civilian honor for overseas Filipinos.
Featured albums
Bird with Streams
Dr. Quixotic's Traveling Exotics