Donovan Haffner

Alto saxophonist Donovan Haffner recently graduated from the Royal Academy of Music, undertaking a BMus degree, specialising in jazz. Donovan has played with a multitude of professional musicians including Moses Boyd, Charlie Stacey, and Jay Phelps, Balimaya Project, and European contemporary names such as Rasmus Sorenson. Donovan was also involved in the American Jazz Legend Charles Tolliver's Big Band, band selected by Toni Kofi and played in the EFG London Jazz Festival at the Barbican. He has toured with star drummer Moses Boyd including around Italy at only 18 years old and at various places around the UK. Donovan is also included in Jay Phelps’ Miles Davis Kind of Blue Project who play shows around the UK. Gary Crosby OBE, Alex Davis and Binker Golding of Tomorrow’s Warriors were amongst some of his mentors in his earlier years. He has been selected as a finalist for the 'Jazz Newcomer of the Year' award in the prestigious 'Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2024'. Donovan was also a finalist at the 'Music Company's Tina May Award' in 2024.