Tenor and soprano saxophonist Alec Haavik, from New York City, performs internationally in a broad array of jazz and creative improvisation groups. He has performed or recorded with Jane Monheit, Ronnie Burrage, Daniel Carter, Taro Koyama, Gregory Hutchinson, Shoko Nagai, and Eric Harland, among many others. In New York City, Alec has appeared in such key venues as the Iridium Jazz Club, Detour, the 55 Bar, the Knitting Factory, and Cleopatra's Needle.
Currently based in Shanghai, China, Alec performs his original jazz-rock music every Tuesday at JZ Club with his band Friction Five, comprising an international roster of some of the finest musicians from around the world who are now based in Shanghai.
Alec Haavik Friction Five performed in 2006 Fuxing International Jazz Festival, a major event in jazz in China, which was headlined by Miles Davis' protégé Wallace Roney. They also performed in the 2007 Jazzy Shanghai Week, as well as a performance at 1918 ArtSpace as part of the JazzArt concert series. Most recently, Alec Haavik Friction Five played a spectacular opening set for Chinese pop star Xu Wei.
After his May, 2005 appearance at The Riverside in Taipei, Taiwan, Taiwan Fun Magazine described him as, "ripping up the place with some experimental, funky and hot jazz with a rock bent." He has also performed at such top Taipei venues as the The Blue Note, Brown Sugar, and Club 75 -- often with local legends Roberto Zayas and Xiao Bai. In Seoul, Korea, Alec has appeared in such locales as Club Evans, Once In a Blue Moon, and All That Jazz. In 2005, Alec traveled to Tokyo, performing at the highly-regarded jazz club, Ginza Swing, with the Junko Moriya Sextet, featuring Osamu Koike.
Alec completed his Master's Degree at the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied with Dick Oatts and Mark Turner. He has also studied with Ralph Bowen, Dave Tofani and George Garzone.
Alec's first CD as bandleader, "Rocks," showcases his original compositions in a style he calls "jazz with a rock-and-roll edge." The CD blends the styles of Led Zeppelin, Steve Lacy, and John Coltrane and is orchestrated for a quintet featuring two electric guitarists. Alec Haavik Friction Five's new CD, "Ye Shanghai" will be released in January, 2008.
Photo Credit: Background image and Profile image: photos copyright Alice Jagtman.
Ha ha ha, I guess he could be the son of luke :-) Alexander Alekhine is a legendary russian chessplayer, world champion from 1927–1935 & 1937–1946. And with our Ninja in context, Frederick who wrote the tune, got Luke Skywalker in his mind. Luke's father was actually called Anakin, maybe that helped Frederick making up the match, I don't know :-) Hope your still fine out in Shanghai, Im back in Copenhagen, there's snow all over the place! Pass by www. myspace. com/orpheus5 if you feel like.
Hi Alec, it was great playing with you in Shanghai! I hope we can do it again in 2009 - I'll practice a little Chinese in the meantime, so I can be more prepared for my next trip... Anyway, hope all is well, and I hope you had a great Chinese Thanksgiving. - Jessica
Hi Alec, Just wanted to say hi seeing you online, hope everything..s cool out there. Love and regards to you and your family. cheers........ johny........<;o)
hey there...just wanted to say hi to my favourite wacky guy with the beard and glasses... oh...i still haven't looked up what ribald means!... hope you're well x
I am desiring your new album right about now!! Just finished mixing two Astro projects from the vaults which I'll start posting one song at a time beginning today. Miss you, sir!
Thanks Alec! Nice to hear from you. I will be in Taiwan in February 2009, i'm thinking to come to Shanghai and see you guys...we will see. Cheers man. See you.
thanx a whole lotta for ENjoying my songs..glad they made you smile..Best wishes in all things. "Earth is floating and flying ..therefore so are WE!!" FZ peace JOGGYN SMYLER
It sounds great in here! Both the tracks from your new album, and also the JZ live-recordings! I'd really love to hear Exotic Wall Burger - could you post it here, or maybe email it to me?
Hi Alec! I should make it to Shanghai--I'd love to play with you again. Also, I dig your tag line: 'Jazz Meets Rock on Tenor and Soprano Saxophone'- very cool!
