Artistic Biography – Alex Huțanu

Alexandru Huțanu, known by his stage name Alex Jaxx, is a saxophonist, clarinetist, and educator with an active presence on the Romanian jazz scene. He is a tenured professor at the “Octav Băncilă” National College of Arts in Iași and holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in saxophone performance. His artistic path also includes an Erasmus study program at the Prince Claus Conservatorium in Groningen, the Netherlands, where he deepened his knowledge of jazz and improvised music in an international context.

He has performed in numerous prominent Romanian festivals, including the Bucharest Jazz Festival, Sibiu Jazz Festival, Jazz City, Cucuteni Jazz Fest, and the Ploiești Jazz Festival, as well as in curated series such as “Artist in Residence” at Arcub Bucharest and “Jazz on the Rooftop” in Ploiești.

He is the founder of the Jazz Concert Series in Iași and has led a wide range of educational and artistic initiatives aimed at promoting jazz among young musicians.

Alex Jaxx is a laureate of several national jazz competitions, earning distinctions such as “The Best Instrumental Performer” (Târgu Mureș), “Best Instrumentalist” (Sibiu Jazz Festival), “Newcomer of the Year” and “Confirmation of the Year” (Romanian Jazz Awards Gala), as well as the Jazz in the Park Grand Prize, awarded with CALI Quartet.

Among his recent projects are Smooth Jazz for Lovers and the Alex Jaxx Quartet with Strings, the latter culminating in his first jazz album – “Richard Oschanitzky: Revedere 85” – recorded live during the Romanian Music Festival in Iași, 2024. The album features original arrangements by Alex and his brother Cătălin Huțanu, inspired by the works of the iconic Romanian composer Richard Oschanitzky, in a unique lineup of jazz septet and string quartet.

His upcoming release is a new live album recorded at the Romanian National Opera in Iași, during the Jazz Regal concert, featuring music by Charlie Parker, alongside original compositions and arrangements.