Langston Hughes II is a saxophonist, woodwind doubler, composer, and educator, quickly establishing himself as one of the most distinctive young voices in jazz. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., he got his start in the Prince George’s County public school system before honing his craft at Howard University with saxophonist Charlie Young III and pianist Cyrus Chestnut. He later earned his master’s degree in Jazz Studies from The Juilliard School, where his sound and versatility caught the ear of some of the music’s leading voices. Langston has toured internationally with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, and shared the stage with luminaries such as Rufus Reid, Cyrus Chestnut, Orrin Evans, and Ulysses Owens Jr.’s Generation Y band. As a leader, he has brought his bold, soulful approach to venues and festivals including Blues Alley, Keystone Korner, The Kennedy Center, the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, and the DC Jazz Festival. With fluency across multiple woodwind instruments and styles, Langston is also in demand on Broadway and beyond. His doubling work has landed him in pit orchestras and productions including A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical and Just in Time: The Bobby Darin Story. A former Strathmore Artist in Residence and graduate of the Kennedy Center’s Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead program, Langston has worked under the guidance of Jason Moran, Marcus Printup, Clarence Penn, and others who have shaped his artistry. As an educator, Langston teaches through the Foundation for the Advancement of Music and Education (FAME) and leads clinics at the Levine School of Music and Strathmore. Langston also maintains a private studio, mentoring the next generation of musicians with the same dedication instilled by his mentors.