Nacho Gascón

Nacho Gascón is a saxophonist who understands the classical history of his instrument and who at the same time explores the new and endless ways of expression that this versatile instrument can develop.

Born in Alicante, Spain, he studied at the prestigious University of Southern California in Los Angeles with Doug Masek and James Rotter, having also frequent masterclasses with saxophonist such as Daniel Deffayet, Claude Delangle, Arno Borkamp and Nobuya Sugawa. At this stage he participated in the recording of different films and performed for the first time with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra at the Hollywood Bowl at the early age of 22. He received numerous awards and distinctions, such as the distinguished Yamaha Young Artist and was a finalist in the New York Artist Guild Concert Competition. He was also the first saxophonist to be invited on an internship at the Aspen Music Festival in Colorado.

With an extensive orchestral experience, he has collaborated with directors and composers such as John Williams, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Mstilav Rostropovich, Thomas Adès, Gustavo Dudamel, John Adams, Eiji Oue and Leonard Slatkin and has premiered works by composers such as Arnau Bataller, Bear McCreary, Robert Linn, Berthold Tüercke, Jesus Rodriguez Picó and H. K. Gruber, playing with groups such as The Furious Band, Barcelona 216 and the Ensemble Barcelona Nueva Música and orchestras such as Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, New West Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the Pablo Sarasate Orchestra of Pamplona, the Gran Teatro de Liceo Orchestra, the Cadaqués Orchestra, the Mahler Chamber Orchestra and the Orquesta Sinfónica de Barcelona.

Since 2001 he has been teaching Chamber Music and Saxophone at the Escuela Superior de Música de Cataluña in Barcelona and since 2013 he has also been a specialist in orchestral repertoire at the Conservatorio Superior de Música de Aragón in Zaragoza. As a pedagogue he has been asked to teach masterclasses in Japan, Australia, Belgium, France, Portugal, Mexico, England and Luxemburg. He is also part of the roaster of artists featured in the AdLibitum masterclass series.

He is also the artistic director of the Andorra Sax Fest International Saxophone competition.

Nacho Gascón is a Forestone Japan endorsed artist.