Arman Sangalang

“With the release of Quartet, Arman makes his case for the attention of the international audience. This is undoubtedly the start of a very promising career.” 

- Walter Smith III, saxophonist and composer

Chicago-based saxophonist and composer Arman Sangalang has been garnering attention as one of the up-and-coming jazz musicians on the scene. Sangalang’s intricate originals weave together lyricism and colorful textures to deliver atmospheric soundscapes. Drawing inspiration from Chicago’s genre-bending creative music scene, his music ranges from contemplative to groove-oriented. His current project, the Arman Sangalang Quartet, brings freewheeling and fiery improvisations to audiences. His debut record Quartet (2023, Calligram Records) was awarded Best First Release as Leader by RadioRadioX. Sangalang is set to release his sophomore album Waypoints on Calligram Records in August 2026.

Throughout his career, he’s had the honor of sharing the stage with notable jazz artists such as Jon Irabagon, Dana Hall, Clark Sommers, Bruce Forman, Sharel Cassity, Essiet Okon Essiet, Sylvia Cuenca, and countless others. His music has been performed at prestigious venues like the Hyde Park Jazz Festival, Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, and Chicago Jazz Festival. Other notable venues include The Green Mill, Andy’s Jazz Club, the Hungry Brain, The California Clipper, The Whistler, Mr. Tipple’s Jazz Club and the Logan Center for the Arts.

Sangalang holds a bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies (Saxophone) from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music where he studied with Greg Ward, Tom Walsh, and Walter Smith III. After completing a master’s degree at Northern Illinois University in 2022 where he studied with Geof Bradfield, he received recognition for his creative work. Most recently, Sangalang was named a 2026 Luminarts Jazz Improvisation Fellow. He is also an alum of programs like the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Academy, the Boysie Lowery Living Jazz Residency, and the Jazz Institute of Chicago Jazz Links Fellowship. His debut album received grants from the Illinois Arts Council Agency and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

In addition to being an active performer, Sangalang is a committed educator. He is currently on the faculty at the Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts) as the Music Theory instructor. While at NIU, Sangalang held a graduate assistantship where he coached jazz combos and taught courses. During the summer he is a teaching assistant at Birch Creek Music Performance Center. He also held positions with Youth Orchestra Salinas (YOSAL), Santa Catalina School, After School Matters, Stafford Music Academy, and the NIU Community School for the Arts.