Donovan Haffner’s Debut Album Alleviate Marks The Arrival Of A Rising Jazz Star

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment eBook magazine UK“, rising jazz star Donovan Haffner’s debut album Alleviate, a vibrant 9-track collection of original compositions, showcases his dynamic talent and cements his place as one of 2025’s breakthrough artists, available now on all platforms and vinyl.

Alleviate

London-based alto saxophonist Donovan Haffner has released his highly anticipated debut album, Alleviate, a vibrant 9-track collection of original compositions that cements his place as one of 2025’s breakthrough jazz artists.

Available now digitally on all platforms and on vinyl, Alleviate showcases Haffner’s burgeoning talent as a bandleader and composer, blending contemporary jazz with straight-ahead influences and a distinctive sense of melody, accessibility, and groove.

Alleviate reflects a deeply personal journey for Haffner, who channels the catharsis of overcoming negative thoughts through his creative process. This emotional depth resonates throughout the record, making it a compelling and relatable listen. The album is performed by Haffner’s quintet—Francisco Garcia de Paredes on guitar, Jay Verma on piano, Harry Pearce on bass, and Harry Ling on drums—who bring his compositions to life with expert finesse. Together since 2019, the group navigates the complexities of Haffner’s music while maintaining an infectious energy.

Leading up to the release, Haffner dropped two acclaimed singles, “The Lone Wolf” and “D Tune,” which garnered significant radio play on Jazz FM from presenters like Tony Minvielle, Chris Phillips, Jez Nelson, Ruth Fisher, Helen Mayhew, and Nikki Yeoh, as well as support from BBC Radio 3’s Soweto Kinch and Alyn Shipton. These tracks offered a glimpse of the vitality and emotional resonance that define Alleviate.

Tracklisting:

1. The Writer (Intro)
2. The Writer
3. The Sublime
4. Alleviate (Intro)
5. Alleviate
6. D Tune
7. Discovering The Truth
8. The Lone Wolf
9. Step Aside

Donovan Haffner

Haffner’s musical journey began at age 10 when he picked up the saxophone. By 11, he was mentored by Gary Crosby OBE and Binker Golding at Tomorrow’s Warriors, a renowned program nurturing young jazz talent. His prodigious ability shone early, leading to a tour of Italy with multi-award-winning drummer Moses Boyd at just 18. Since then, Haffner has performed with jazz luminaries like Jay Phelps, Shane Forbes, Charlie Stacey, Balimaya Project, and Danish pianist Rasmus Sorenson. He was also handpicked by Tony Kofi to join American jazz legend Charles Tolliver’s Big Band, headlining the Barbican at the EFG London Jazz Festival.

Remaining closely tied to Tomorrow’s Warriors, Haffner performs with their Nu Civilisation Orchestra and Jazz Jamaica. His live shows, including recent performances at Pizza Express Live to launch Alleviate, as well as Ronnie Scott’s, The Jazz Café, and festivals like Glastonbury, We Out Here, Love Supreme, and Brainchild, have captivated audiences. Drawing inspiration from jazz giants like Kenny Garrett, Freddie Hubbard, Immanuel Wilkins, Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter, and Walter Smith III, Haffner leads his quartet on a dynamic journey through the music he loves.

Haffner’s growing acclaim is reflected in his accolades, including being a finalist in the ‘Jazz Newcomer of the Year’ category at the 2024 Parliamentary Jazz Awards and the Musician’s Company 2024 Tina May Jazz Award. With Alleviate, Donovan Haffner is poised to capture the attention of jazz fans nationwide, establishing himself as a vital new voice in contemporary jazz.

Find more from Donovan Haffner now:

website donovanhaffner.co.uk/

Instagram @donovan_jazz_sax