Alan Acosta

Alan Acosta is a New York-based woodwind instrumentalist, artist, and educator.  Drawing from U.S.-Mexico border politics, identity, and the startling education disparages across the world, Acosta is devoted to using the arts as a platform to support self-discovery and to change the wealth/knowledge gaps in struggling communities. He is highly regarded by masters of jazz music, non-profit directors, and various board members, and has performed on world stages as a sideman on woodwinds, band leader, and manager/representative for international tours.

BM 2018, Arizona State University, Jazz Performance (Saxophone)

MA 2025, The New School, Arts Management/ Entrepreneurship

Originally from Tucson, Arizona, Acosta is a first-generation Mexican-American who, in his lifetime, saw the border go from a port of entry to a militarized hellscape. With little art and music funding in his public school, music study came from attending the award-winning Tucson Jazz Institute starting at age 11, where Acosta would go on to be part of their top ensembles under the direction of Brice Winston, Doug Tidaback, Scott Black.

He has performed with artists and ensembles: Reggie Workman, Arturo O’Farril, Lewis Nash, Maceo Parker Big Band, Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, Darcy James Argue, Corcoran Holt, Brice Winston, Matt Wilson, Ballet of Arizona, and the Tucson Symphony Orchestra.

He has performed at premier venues and festivals like the Birdland Jazz Club, Frederick P. Rose Hall,   Monterey Jazz Festival, Umbria Jazz Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, and the International Clarinet Association Festival 2024 in Dublin, Ireland. 

Acosta currently works as an Assistant Director and Clinician for Jazz at Lincoln Center's Education Department, specifically for their Jazz Academy program.

Click here to learn more about Alan's education programs: