Skyler Hagner / The Hagner McKay Nonet
Jazz Road Tours Grant Recipient
Recipient Information
Location
Guilford, Connecticut
Year of Award
2021
Grant or Fellowship
Jazz Road Tours Grant
Grant Amount
$13,764
Performances
- Southern Maine Junior Music Academy. July 27, 2021. Gorham ME
- Bay Chamber Concerts. July 30, 2021. Rockport ME
- Jesup Memorial Library. July 31, 2021. Bar Harbor ME
- Portsmouth Music and Arts Center. August 3, 2021. Portsmouth NH
- The Portland Conservatory of Music's Dimensions in Jazz at Woodford's Church. August 6, 2021. Portland ME
- Cadenza. August 7, 2021. Freeport ME
About the Artist
The Hagner McKay Nonet is a collaborative ensemble based in New York with roots from across New England. Co-leaders Skyler Hagner and Hunter McKay met in 2018 and the ensemble took shape soon after. Part of their mission is to bring high level creative music back to their local communities. The ensemble consists of Skyler Hagner, baritone saxophone/bass clarinet/composer, Hunter McKay, tenor saxophone/clarinet/composer, Eric Klaxton, soprano saxophone/alto saxophone/clarinet, Alex Quinn, trumpet/composer, Eric Quinn, trombone, Cecil Alexander, guitar, Clifford Cameron, piano, Stephen Pale, bass, and Zak King, drums.
The ensemble describes their music as trans-idiomatic, cutting across genres and pulling from a diverse range of influences. The performances are influenced by modern jazz and contemporary classical music. Skyler has written for the BMI Jazz Composers Orchestra, Wesleyan Flute Fest Orchestra, and the William Paterson University Big Band. Hunter has performed across the East Coast with jazz artists such as Jeff Coffin, Ken Peplowski, and Graham Breedlove. He’s also performed with popular artists such as Godsmack lead singer, Sully Erna, and America's Got Talent Winner, Landau Eugene Murphy Jr.