“A convincing display of post-bop chops… His assertive tenor brings plenty of brawn and rhythmic agility… More than enough top-quality jazz to justify keeping him on the radar.”
— Troy Dostert, All About Jazz

“The sax solo is brimming with groove and creativity… Another artist that deserves to be heard. Recommended.”
— Jon Neudorf, Sea of Tranquility

Biography

Ivan Baryshnikov is a saxophonist, composer, and educator based in Amsterdam. Born in Moscow in 1990, he began studying music at age 7, first learning recorder and piano before switching to alto saxophone at 10. As a teenager, Ivan played in rock, pop, and ska-core bands, touring and recording two albums before leaving due to ideological differences.

Defying his parents’ wish for him to study engineering, Ivan pursued music, attending a jazz program at the Moscow Provincial College of Arts and later graduating with honours from the Gnesins Academy of Music. Influenced by saxophonists such as John Coltrane, Michael Brecker, and Bob Berg, he developed his voice as a tenor saxophonist and performer.

At 18, Ivan began producing music, inspired by electronic styles introduced by his older brother. In 2012, he performed with electronic musician Matthew Herbert in London during the Olympics, an experience that deepened his interest in blending acoustic and electronic sounds. He later moved to the Netherlands to pursue a Master of Music at the Prince Claus Conservatoire in Groningen, spending a semester in New York City during which he recorded and released his debut album, Journey, performing at venues including Rockwood Music Hall, Bonafide, and Sofar Sounds.

In 2019, Ivan launched Eváan, an artist project to explore electronic, hybrid, and genre-crossing music while keeping the saxophone at the centre. Soon after, a combination of challenges—including the COVID-19 pandemic, immigration uncertainty, and financial pressures—led him to pause his artistic work. During this time, he stepped away from the saxophone for several years, working in a professional kitchen to support his family.

After this hiatus, Ivan rebuilt his relationship with the instrument through a personal recovery process that became the Tenor Saxophone Rehab Guide. Today, he performs, composes, and mentors musicians, helping them develop their own voice while maintaining a calm, practice-centred approach to music.