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Idan Santhaus is a young and emerging jazz musician; saxophonist, flautist, arranger and composer.

Idan was born in Israel in 1977. As a young child he used to see his father’s military band performing, and was fascinated by the magical sound of the flute there. Shortly after, Idan has begun his classical training on the flute.

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While in high school, Idan was introduced to Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue” and immediately fell in love with jazz. He soon started studies with local legends Ilan Salem and Stu HaCohen, and went on to study at Rimon School of Music.

In Israel, Idan wrote for, and performed with Ujat, an ethnic group which combined Indian music, Mediterranean music and Jazz. He was also a member of Tipico, an Afro-Cuban band. With the Haifa Youth Orchestra, he toured throughout Israel and Europe.

In 2001 Idan enrolled at SUNY Purchase College, during which time he studied with the foremost jazz musicians and educators in New York, among them Ralph Lalama, Jon Faddis, Todd Coolman, Charles Blenzig and Pete Malinverni, to name a few.
 

While at Purchase, he put together a unique group - The Reedless Big Band, which performs Idan’s arrangements and original works in and around New York.

After receiving his BA in Jazz performance, he continues to expand his musicianship and has been studying with various jazz composers, among them Jim McNeely and Michael Abene. In addition he's been commissioned to write for the Purchase College Latin Jazz Orchestra headed by trumpeter Ray Vega, and for the Purchase College Jazz Orchestra directed by Todd Coolman.

Idan currently lives in New York City and can be seen in various clubs leading his own bands. He is also a participant in the BMI Composers' Workshop.

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