Dr. Brian Hanegan is an Associate Professor and Director of Jazz Studies at the Augustana University School of Music in Sioux Falls, SD. He directs the Northlanders Jazz Ensemble, AU Jazz Combo, and AU Rock Combo, teaches studio saxophone, jazz improvisation, saxophone quartet, and the history of jazz, blues, and rock. In addition, he supervises the annual Jazz on the Upper Great Plains Festival.

He began his professional career as the saxophonist in a summer revue show at Valleyfair Amusement Park in Minneapolis, MN (2006-08). From there, Hanegan toured internationally with Carnival Cruise Lines as a multiple-woodwind artist in a seven-piece show orchestra. With Carnival, Hanegan performed nightly alongside musicians from all over the world and served as musical director of the Carnival Elation in 2012. Since then, Hanegan has performed with The Temptations, Jeff Coffin, Bob Mintzer, Scotty Barnhart, Byron Stripling, Mike Tomaro, John Raymond, Allen Vizzutti, Mike Tomaro, Adam Meckler, Arthur “LA” Buckner, Frankie Avalon, Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, and Sioux City Symphony Orchestra. In addition, he has opened for Cheap Trick, Sister Hazel, The Wallflowers, Heart, The Beach Boys, John Pardi, and Mitchell Tenpenny.

Hanegan released his debut album “Constellation” in April of 2021. He is actively performing across the Midwest in a variety of ensembles including the Sioux Falls #1 local best band Goodroad, the Brian Hanegan Quintet, and several other jazz projects.  Hanegan is an Aaron Drake Mouthpieces Performing Artist and holds degrees from North Dakota State University, University of South Dakota, and Northern State University.

“I just listened to the single from Constellation and believe “Peace” has a brilliant melody set to an exceptional feel with an interesting form. The ensemble sounds great and your saxophone playing is fantastic. Overall, the song is very professional in sound and the music is cohesive and very enjoyable.”

—Jeff Williams Kari-On Productions LLC.