David Watts and Sarah Hanahan

David Watts and Sarah Hanahan join again on stage at Cadenza to lift your spirits with a fresh and jazzy take on holiday classics plus more. Joining Watts and Hanahan this time are Michael Boucher on drums, and Robben Harris on bass. 

Alto saxophonist Sarah Hanahan — recently named #1 Rising Star Alto Saxophonist by DownBeat Magazine and ranked #9 Alto Saxophonist in the 2025 DownBeat Readers Poll (following legends Kenny Garrett and Gary Bartz) — brings a powerhouse, hard-bop-rooted yet modern sound to the stage. Drawing inspiration from icons like Jackie McLean, John Coltrane, and Charlie Parker, she blends fiery intensity with soulful lyricism. She tours regularly around the world with her quartet, playing standards and originals from critically acclaimed debut album Among Giants (Blue Engine Records, 2024). 

Watts performs a wide range of musical styles from classic jazz, to singer-songwriter, to new age, to original solo piano works. He has been known as a song stylist and for his Billy Joel covers. Equally comfortable as a pianist, singer, director, and composer, Watts has performed as a soloist, as leader of his own quintet, as a sideman, and as a director.