Born and raised in the mountains of Western Colorado, Liam Laird is a Brooklyn-based saxophonist, composer, and passionate educator. An inspiring performer with a deep commitment to accessibility in music education, Laird is dedicated to empowering students of all backgrounds and starting points.

Growing up in a rural town, Laird often had to create his musical opportunities. In middle and high school, he helped form jazz bands that eventually became credit-bearing classes through the support of Jazz Aspen Snowmass’s in-school programs. At age 13, Laird met saxophonist Mark Johnson, whose mentorship proved pivotal. Studying privately with Johnson and sitting in on gigs around the Roaring Fork Valley, Laird learned from older, seasoned musicians—an experience that shaped his creative outlook and planted the seeds for his lifelong dedication to community-focused music education.

Laird went on to study saxophone performance at Berklee College of Music, graduating summa cum laude. At Berklee, he trained with renowned musicians including George Garzone, Shannon LeClair, Godwin Louis, Linda May Han Oh, and Walter Smith III. He later earned a Master’s in Jazz Studies from NYU Steinhardt, studying under jazz luminaries such as Lenny White, Tony Moreno, Rich Perry, and Tivon Pennicott.

As a performer, Laird is already making his mark. He has appeared at the BRIC JazzFest in Brooklyn, collaborated with the Aspen Art Museum supporting artists like Puerto Rican duo Poncili Creación and Ryan Trecartin, and performed alongside musicians such as Jason Moran, Sam Gendel, and JK Kim. He has also played with Michael Rodriguez’s NYU ensemble at the Blue Note Jazz Club, in addition to appearances at various jazz venues throughout NYC.

Currently, Laird is at work on his debut album, “Looking to the Sky,” slated for release soon. The project features Jongkuk Kim on drums, Leighton Harrell on bass, and Erika Toda on guitar. The album explores Laird’s evolving musical voice while honoring the people and places that have shaped his journey, offering a sound that is both rooted and forward-thinking.