Sasha Ripley, born in Houston, Texas, is an American jazz saxophonist, composer, and educator. He began playing saxophone at 13 and attended Houston’s Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, graduating with honors in 2019. Sasha earned a Berklee College of Music Full Scholarship and joined the prestigious Global Jazz Institute under Grammy-winner Danilo Perez. Ripley studied under the hand of legendary George Garzone.
He holds a Master’s from the Herbie Hancock Institute at UCLA, performing alongside top jazz artists like Herbie Hancock , Marcus Miller, John McLaughlin, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Dianne Reeves among others. Sasha has performed internationally at venues including Birdland NYC, Blue Note Jazz Festival, Hollywood Bowl, International Jazz Day in Abu Dhabi and Morocco , National Centre for the Performing Arts in Mumbai, and the Louvre in Abu Dhabi.
An award-winning musician and educator, Sasha teaches students worldwide and contributes to various recording projects, blending jazz tradition with contemporary innovation.
Ripley’s upcoming debut album, ''Music From the People'', is a heartfelt reflection of his musical journey and diverse heritage, serving as an homage to the people and spaces that have shaped and continue to inspire his artistry.
“Sasha is an extremely talented saxophonist and a generational talent.”
— Godwin Louis
Sasha Ripley’s debut album, Music From the People, is a collection of musical short stories. Each track, from Home-ish to As The Sealife Rises Beneath You, captures indispensable moments in time with people that helped develop both his musical abilities and humanity. With renditions of Horace Silver's Peace and all 5 original works creating fleeting odysseys, the album is a culmination of in-depth reflection and gratitude.
Growing up in Houston with slavic roots, Sasha blends those influences into his music, creating a sound that’s both personal and fresh. The album was recorded while he was at the Herbie Hancock Institute and features Miles Lennox on keys, Yakiv Tsvietinskyi on trumpet, Dario Bizio on bass, and Ebs Daramola on drums.
Sasha produced the album himself, with Stuart Schenk handling studio engineering and Dave Darlington mixing and mastering. Music From the People is a honest snapshot of Sasha's artistry, shaped by the people and places that have inspired him.
Phone: +1 (832) 600-4870
Email: ripleysasha045@gmail.com
Website: sasharipley.com
Instagram: @sasharipley
YouTube: Sasha Ripley on YouTube