Beyond the Blue are an exciting, up-and-coming London-based jazz band. They have played a number of sell-out shows in venues ranging from The Vortex Jazz Club to Hootananny Brixton to Milton Court Concert Hall as a part of the EFG London Jazz Festival. They have opened for established artists like Omar, Moses Yoofee Trio, Blue Lab Beats, Ebi Soda and Rosie Frater-Taylor. The recent additions of alto sax, tenor sax and cello, mark an evolution in the band’s sound, alongside new original material that draws influence from a wide range of genres: UK dance music, jazz and classical music. Their latest release, a four-track live session, reimagines their previous quartet material in a dynamic septet setting that sets the tone for a future album release in 2024.
'22 year old Donovan Haffner is an alto saxophonist who is currently studying at the Royal Academy of Music, undertaking a BMus degree, specialising in jazz.
Donovan has played with a multitude of professional musicians including the big contemporary British names such as Moses Boyd, and Jay Phelps, and European contemporary names such as Rasmus Sorenson. Gary Crosby OBE, Alex Davis and Binker Golding of Tomorrow’s Warriors were amongst some of his mentors in his earlier years. Donovan’s musicianship has already seen him play London jazz gigs at Ronnie Scott’s, The Jazz Café, The Vortex and Pizza Express Soho and Holborn as well as appearing at festivals including, EFG London Jazz Festival, Pitchfork Festival, Manchester Jazz Festival, We Out Here Festival and Brainchild.
Donovan leads his own quintet featuring band members Donovan Haffner (alto sax), Francisco Garcia de Paredes (guitar), Jay Verma(piano), Harry Pearce(double-bass) and Harry Ling (drums). The group plays originals written by Donovan, striving to create music which is contemporary whilst still honouring the rich history of jazz music.'
