Saxophonist and Composer Ian Christensen is equally at home in the worlds of jazz, rock, and improvised Music. Inspired by the works of Sonny Rollins, Thelonious Monk, Albert Ayler, Claude Debussy, and Elliot Smith, Ian strives to cultivate a new and honest approach, anchored by a strong melodic sensibility and a passion for the unknown. Ian has studied music in New York City, at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, under the likes of Reggie Workman, Jane Ira Bloom, Andrew Cyrille, Tony Malaby, and Bill McHenry, and in Portland, OR under David Valdez, Renato Caranto, Tim Bryson, Ben Medler, Michelle Medler, Thara Memory, Randy Porter and Alan Jones. Ian has had the honor of playing with such luminaries as Mel Brown, Ron Steen, Terrell Stafford, Red Holloway, John Stowell, Javon Jackson, Dave Glasser, and many others. In March of 2010, Ian was invited to play at the Bern Internation Jazz Festival in Bern, Switzerland, with a group from the New School. Ian also remains an active composer, having written extensively for small and large groups.