DONOVAN HAFFNER QUINTET

Making his Poole debut as band leader, alto saxophonist, Donovan Haffner could almost be described as one of the best kept secrets on the London jazz scene for the last 3 or 4 years, but all that is set to change with the release of his debut album Alleviate.

This gig will take place at The Grasshopper,
139 – 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole BH14 9HT.

Please note: If parking in either of the car parks at The Grasshopper, you must register your vehicle on one of the dedicated terminals at the bar or in the function room.

Ticket link below

Aged 11, Donovan joined the highly respected Tomorrow’s Warriors Young Artist Development Programme and was mentored by Gary Crosby OBE, Binker Golding, and Alex Davis. He proved to be a stand-out talent and, by the age of 18, he was invited to tour Italy with multi-award-winning drummer Moses Boyd.

Since then, Donovan has played with Jay Phelps, Charlie Stacey, and Balimaya. He has also performed with the Danish jazz pianist/composer Rasmus Sorenson and was selected by Tony Kofi to be part of American jazz legend, Charles Tolliver’s Big Band, headlining at The Barbican as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival.  And Donovan is still very much part of the Tomorrow’s Warriors musical family, performing with both Nu Civilisation Orchestra and JazzJamaica.

However, it is his growing reputation as a bandleader and composer in his own right that is set to see Donovan come to the attention of jazz fans across the country.

If you have already been lucky enough to catch Donovan play live in a venue (including London’s Ronnie Scott’s, The Jazz Cafe, and Pizza Express Live) or at a festival (We Out Here, Love Supreme), then you will have been struck not just by the drive and sophistication of his playing, but also how he interprets his own compositions. To see him leading his quintet is to go on a journey with him through the music he loves, straight ahead and contemporary jazz – drawing on the inspiration of the musicians that have influenced him, including Kenny Garrett, Freddie Hubbard, Immanuel Wilkins, Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter, and SoundCellar ‘legend’ Walter Smith III – but enhanced with his own distinctive compositional style.

Recorded with his quintet, Donovan’s debut album Alleviate is a vitally exciting contemporary jazz recording, that reflects Donovan Haffner’s burgeoning talent in a glowing light. This essential body of work will undoubtedly position the young musician as a rising jazz star and one of 2025’s breakthrough artists.

“Saxophonist Donovan Haffner’s debut LP, Alleviate, is an absolutely awesome debut and a really amazing release. I’ve watched his development for the last two or three years and he has blossomed into a really special musician” – Tony Minvielle, writer & broadcaster JazzFM

“A confident and impressive debut” **** – Eddie Myer, Jazzwise magazine

“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

About Warriors Rise

This performance is part of Tomorrow’s Warriors’ Warriors Rise initiative, which sees the acclaimed jazz talent development organisation support three emerging Warriors’ artists, including Donovan, providing tour planning and marketing mentoring.

Warriors Rise is a PRS Foundation Talent Development Network Partner initiative supported by PPL.

More about Tomorrow’s Warriors

For over 30 years, Tomorrow’s Warriors has played a vital role within its community and the wider music industry and has been credited with literally changing the face of UK jazz.

Free access to Tomorrow’s Warriors artistic programme has proved crucial in nurturing the nascent talent and early careers of so many of the most exciting UK artists currently tearing up the international jazz scene including Mercury Prize 2023 recipients and BRIT Awards Best Group 2025 winners EZRA Collective, Moses Boyd, Nubya Garcia, Shabaka Hutchings and Sons of Kemet, ESKA, Jason Yarde, Denys Baptiste, Robert Mitchell, Soweto Kinch, Shirley Tetteh, Byron Wallen…the list goes on.

A Black-founded and Black-led organisation, Tomorrow’s Warriors offers a pioneering, free to access, comprehensive programme of learning and training which champions and supports young Black and female talent and those who come from challenging circumstances that would be a barrier to accessing opportunities to pursue a music career.

“Tomorrow’s Warriors occupies a unique and vital space in our cultural landscape. Their work in helping positively shape future generations is of critical importance especially with the tribulations we currently face. Please keep supporting – each one, teach one!” Gilles Peterson

Donovan Haffner: Alto Sax
Francisco Garcia De-Paredes: Guitar
Jay Verma: Piano
Harry Pearce: Bass
Harry Ling: Drums

Entry is £17.50 (no booking fee) in advance through the below link, or £20 on the door (cash or card).