Arman Sangalang

“With the release of Quartet, Arman makes his case for the attention of the international audience. This is undoubtedly the start of a very promising career.” 

- Walter Smith III, saxophonist and composer

Chicago/Monterey-based saxophonist and composer Arman Sangalang has been garnering attention as one of the up-and-coming jazz musicians on the scene. As a bandleader, he currently leads the Arman Sangalang Quartet which feature his compositions that are informed by jazz, folk, and improvised music. His debut record “Quartet” was released on August 4th, 2023 on Calligram Records and garnered acclaim for Best First Release as Leader by RadioRadioX.

Throughout his career, he’s had the honor of sharing the stage with notable jazz artists such as Jon Irabagon, Clark Sommers, Lenard Simpson, Camila Mennitte, and countless others. His music has been performed prestigious venues like the Hyde Park Jazz Festival, Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, and Chicago Jazz Festival. Other notable venues include The Green Mill, Hungry Brain, The California Clipper, The Whistler, the Epiphany Center for the Arts and the Logan Center for the Arts.

Arman has also received various accolades in the last few years. He was awarded grants from the Illinois Arts Council Agency and Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events for his debut album. In 2023, he was selected to be apart of the Boysie Lowery Living Jazz Residency in Delaware. In 2022, IRIS, a collective formed by Arman, was one of four groups across the U.S. selected for the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Academy. The same year, Arman was also the awardee of the Jazz Institute of Chicago’s Jazz Links Fellowship program.

Arman holds a bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies (Saxophone) at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music where he studied with Greg Ward, Tom Walsh, and Walter Smith III. He finished a master’s degree at Northern Illinois University in 2022 where he studied with Geof Bradfield.

In addition to being an active performer, Arman is a committed educator. While at NIU, Arman held a graduate assistantship where he coached jazz combos and taught courses. Most recently, he is the Woodwinds Teaching Artist for YOSAL and Santa Catalina School. During the summer he is a teaching assistant at Birch Creek Music Performance Center. He currently coaches a jazz combo with the Chicago program, After School Matters and maintains his own private studio. He also held positions at Stafford Music Academy in Bloomington, IN, NIU Community School for the Arts and South Suburban College.