Brian Magna

Originally from Canton, Connecticut, Brian Magna has a strong background in a variety of musical styles. As a 2015 graduate from Elon University, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in music performance and a minor in jazz studies. Brian went on to earn his Master of Music degree in jazz studies at Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music – at Northwestern, he worked as a Graduate Assistant for Mr. Victor Goines. Brian is currently a Doctor of Musical Arts candidate at Boston University, where he studies with Mr. Ken Radnofsky.

In addition to being the graduate assistant for the Boston University Jazz department, Brian is on staff at Walpole, Wayland, and Weston Public School as their saxophone and clarinet applied lessons instructor. He has previously worked with the Boston University Marching Band as the woodwind technician during the 2017 season, a position he held at Coastal Carolina University in 2015.

Throughout the duration of his playing career, Brian has had the opportunity to participate in seven international music tours in France, Denmark, and Italy – performing in a total of 24 cities. He is a consistent invitee to the Jazzit Festival in Italy every summer where he will make his fourth straight appearance as a featured artist this summer.

Brian has been fortunate to perform with several great musicians. These include Branford Marsalis, Victor Goines, Jimmy Greene, Victor Garcia, Ari Brown, Dave D’Angelo, Grant Langford, Andrea Tofanelli, Jon Metzger, Ed Neumeister, and many more. Brian has opened for Christian McBride’s Trio, The New England Jazz Ensemble, The Airmen of Note, The West Point Jazz Knights, and others.

Brian’s principle saxophone teachers include Victor Goines, Taimur Sullivan, Ari Brown, Virginia Whittaker, Achille Succi, Craig Whittaker and John Mills. Brian has also studied clarinet with Mark Buonfiglio,  flute with Linda Cykert, and bassoon with Tom Turanchick.