Dr. Brian Hanegan is an internationally-touring saxophonist, composer, and bandleader from Sioux Falls, SD. As an Associate Professor and Director of Jazz Studies at the Augustana University School of Music, Hanegan directs the Northlanders Jazz Ensemble, Blues & Gold Jazz Combo, teaches studio saxophone, jazz improvisation, and the history of jazz, blues, and rock. In addition, he supervises the annual Jazz on the Upper Great Plains Festival. In 2024, he won the highly coveted Frederick C. Kohlmeyer Distinguished Teaching Professorship Award, recognizing and rewarding outstanding teaching at Augustana.

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, Rex Richardson, Matthew Whitaker, Bob Mintzer, Scotty Barnhart, Byron Stripling, Mike Tomaro, John Raymond, Allen Vizzutti, Adam Larson, Adam Meckler, 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.

Currently, Hanegan is performing across the Midwest in a variety of groups including the 12-time Sioux Falls #1 local best band Goodroad, the Brian Hanegan Quintet, Jazzed Up Big Band, and freelancing with numerous other jazz/commercial groups. In addition, Hanegan recently performed and conducted the Northlanders Jazz Band on a15-day international tour of Spain in January 2023—performing at jazz clubs, music conservatories, performing arts schools, and concert halls in 9 different cities.

In April of 2021, Hanegan released his debut album “Constellation” and followed up with a single “You & Me” in 2023. He is actively tracking his second full-length album set to release in late 2024. As a collaborator, his saxophone and EWI playing can be heard on several records with other artists. 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