Andrew Hadro is one of the most versatile voices on the Baritone Saxophone I have ever encountered. He possesses a wide array of timbres, driving rhythmic conception and a beautiful lyricism. He is my kind of improviser.
— Tony Malaby
 
 

Photo by Adrien Tillmann

Andrew Hadro [Hey-dro]

Andrew Hadro is a professional musician, composer, and bandleader in Brooklyn, New York. Hadro’s primary instrument is baritone saxophone, though he also performs on bass clarinet, Bb clarinet, and flute, and is one of the only working musicians in New York City to play the bass saxophone. 

Recently, Hadro has been presenting compositions by current living composers through his ongoing project "For Us, The Living," An effort to honor tradition through innovation. Hadro has performed and recorded two albums for this series, with the most recent released in April 2018, and a single released in December of 2021.

After 20 years in NYC, Hadro can be heard through an expanding discography and frequent live performances. He has played with and led ensembles large and small, featuring historical and modern styles, as well as through-composed and fully improvised music.

Born abroad in Mexico to American parents, Hadro spent most of his childhood in the Chicago area before moving to New York City to study at the New School for Jazz. In addition to working as a performer, Andrew Hadro is a product specialist for Vandoren, advising fellow musicians on equipment including reeds and mouthpieces. As curator of JazzBariSax.com Hadro provides resources and news to baritone saxophonists all over the world. During summers Hadro serves as a director and faculty member for the Litchfield Jazz Camp in Connecticut.

Rather than follow the path of bop-oriented bari blazers…Hadro prefers to play the baritone saxophone in a soft, beautiful, subtle way. And rather than waiting around to be signed to a label, he’d rather do it himself.
— Bill Milkowski, DownBeat Magazine
 
Andrew Hadro is the best young baritone saxophonist I know. After studying with me he joined my working quintet for several years and continues to be one of my first choice saxophonists.
— Junior Mance


Teaching & Educating

Other Instruments owned & played

  • C Melody, Tenor & Alto Saxophones

  • Ocarina (Alto and Soprano)

  • Khaen (Thai/Laotian Free reed instrument)

  • Hulusi (Chinese free reed gourd instrument)

  • Shruti Box (Indian drone)

  • Kalimba | Thumb Piano (African melodic percussion instrument)

Andrew's Equipment

  • Low Bb Conn New Wonder II Baritone Saxophone (1926)

    • Hard Rubber Vandoren V5 series B95 mouthpiece, Leather Ligature

    • Vandoren V16 reeds

  • Conn Silver Plated Bass Saxophone (1926)

    • Vandoren B75 V5 Series Mouthpiece, Optimum Ligature

    • Vandoren Traditional Bass sax reeds

  • Haynes Q2 Flute

  • Selmer Series 9 Bb Clarinet / Leblanc Symphony III Bb Clarinet

    • Vandoren BD5 or B45 Lyre Mouthpiece, Leather Ligature

    • Vandoren V12 or Traditional Reeds

  • Kessler Low C Bass Clarinet / Low Eb Selmer Series 9 Bass Clarinet

    • Vandoren B50 mouthpiece, Leather Ligature

    • Vandoren V12 reeds

  • Leblanc Contra Bass Clarinet (Paperclip)