About
Christian August is a saxophonist, bandleader, and music educator whose work lives at the intersection of performance, collaboration, and craft.
Rooted in a deep love for sound and storytelling, his approach to music centers on curiosity, connection, and clarity—whether he’s leading a band, shaping a new arrangement, or guiding a student through their next breakthrough.
With a musical background in many genres, he specializes in Jazz music from studying under Doug Beach, Mark Colby, Tom Garling and more at Elmhurst University, where he received his B.M. Jazz Studies. Christian brings a strong foundation in both classically trained technique and contemporary performance to everything he does. This grounding informs his teaching style, which emphasizes musicality, confidence, and practical skills. He offers individualized instruction on saxophone, available both online and in person, working with students of all ages and experience levels.
Beyond teaching, Christian is an active arranger and bandleader, creating custom arrangements for bands and educational ensembles that are tailored to the strengths and goals of each group. He also leads the Christian August Groups which are available for weddings, corporate events, and private functions—each performance shaped with intention and energy. He is also a member of numerous groups, such as The Blueshift Big Band, The Aaron Krings Quartet, Aimee Gwen’s Pat Metheny Project and more!
Christian supports the full lifecycle of live music production as well. He operates a rehearsal space available for rent in East Dundee, IL, which is equipped with a grand piano and full sound system, and provides professional live sound services for concerts and events. Whether behind the scenes or under the lights, his focus remains the same: helping music sound—and feel—its best.
Records featuring Christian
Joystick Jazz: The Blueshift Big Band Plays Classic Mario Tunes (Vol. 3)
The Blueshift Big Band
Christmas Time Is Here
JP Warner
Like The Movies
Joshua Tatum