Jake Dester is a New York–based saxophonist, composer, and educator whose work bridges jazz tradition and modern production. His performances are both playful and serious, designed to connect, entertain, and move. He treats music as a vessel for memory and imagination, a way of taking listeners to places they may have known or only dreamed about. By reimagining jazz in public and contemporary settings—from subway stations to pop and electronic contexts—Jake brings jazz saxophone language to new audiences and demonstrates how universal it truly is. In his teaching, he helps musicians discover new frameworks for thought, opening their ears and minds to deeper ways of communicating through sound.

Outside of music, Jake enjoys movies, museums, indie shows, and reading. These experiences feed his creative process and remind him that art, in any form, is a reflection of life itself.