Nathan Hanson/Steve Hirsh
Memory is Subjective
A live recording of a duo concert from October 2025, “Memory is Subjective” is a 2026 release on Mahakala Music.
Nathan Hanson (saxophones) and Steve Hirsh (drums) create spontaneously composed music that starts from an impulse informed by jazz. Their shared musical language derives from a wide variety of sources including folk, classical, rock and other musics. Together they make soundscape dialogues that explore aspects of our shared humanity.
2026 Tour Dates:
Fri 9/25
Headwaters Music and Arts
Bemidji, MN
Wed 10/14
Oxbow Hotel
Eau Claire, WI
Thu 10/15
Elastic Arts
Chicago, IL
Fri 10/16
Dumb Records
Springfield, IL
Sat 10/17
Dissonant Works
Saint Louis, MO
Sun 10/18
Memphis, TN
Mon 10/19
Kansas City, MO
Tue 10/20
Public Space One
Iowa City, IA
“Lithe and soaring, engaging in judicious honk 'n' splatter” (New York City Jazz Record), Saxophonist and 2026 American Composers Forum McKnight Fellow Nathan Hanson makes music that invites listeners to stand outside themselves and the flow of time. Hanson investigates how to channel the sound of each performance space. The energy of the audience circulates with the music, silence and breath. The effect leads listeners to become more present to the unfolding of each moment. (photo by Siena Ritter)
Steve Hirsh composes music on the drumset. His music is created in real-time, on the bandstand. This music cannot be defined, limited or categorized by genre. It is a process for creating that draws from all the influences of all the players. Based in Minnesota, Steve tours nationally and collaborates with improvising musicians around the world. Among those he has worked with are Daniel Carter, William Parker, Dave Sewelson, Matthew Shipp, Eri Yamamoto, Steve Swell, Sally Gates, Matt Hollenberg, Zoh Amba, Ellen Christi, Luke Stewart and Joel Futterman. His collaborations with top free-jazz innovators have shaped a responsive, interactive style that anchors the ensembles with both rhythmic drive and creative color.