Donovan Haffner Quintet

Rising star saxophonist Donovan Haffner is one of 2025’s breakthrough artists who won ‘Jazz Newcomer’ at the 2025 Parliamentary Jazz Awards.

Born and bred in South East London, at age 11 Donovan joined the highly respected Tomorrow’s Warriors Young Artist Development Programme where he was mentored by Gary Crosby and Binker Golding and at 18 he toured Italy with multi-award-winning drummer Moses Boyd.

The drive and sophistication of his playing, as well as his growing reputation as a bandleader and composer and how he interprets his own compositions, is bringing him to the attention of jazz fans across the country. ​

“There’s so much sincerity and gravity in what he plays and his unforced musicality really draws you in” – Soweto Kinch, Round Midnight, BBC Radio 3 ​

Donovan Haffner has played with Jay Phelps, Charlie Stacey, Balimaya and Danish jazz pianist/composer Rasmus Sorenson. He was selected by Tony Kofi to be part of American jazz legend Charles Tolliver’s Big Band at the EFG London Jazz Festival.

He is still very much part of the Tomorrow’s Warriors musical family, performing with both Nu Civilisation Orchestra and Jazz Jamaica. Donovan is influenced by musicians including Kenny Garrett, Joel Ross, Immanuel Wilkins, Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter and Walter Smith III.

Donovan’s debut album ‘Alleviate’ is a contemporary jazz recording that reflects his burgeoning talent.

“He’s got an attractive tone on alto with enough acidic bite to confer the necessary edge” – Eddie Myer, Jazzwise

“Alleviate’ is an absolutely awesome debut …. I’ve watched his development for the last two or three years and he has blossomed into a really special musician” – Tony Minvielle, Jazz FM/One Jazz