Quick Info
| Profession | Saxophonist, composer, arranger and educator |
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| Nationality | American |
| Date of Birth | 11/06/1998 |
| Age | 28 years |
| Birthplace | Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
Latest News about Isaiah Collier
31/08/2026
Isaiah Collier discussed his new EP Joy in an interview with WBGO, describing a shift toward more enthusiasm and less angst in his music. He also played piano and sang on record for only the second time on this release. He was scheduled to honor John Coltrane's centennial at the DC Jazz Festival on 5 September 2026.
26/03/2026
Collier performed Collier Plays Coltrane at Big Ears 2026, presenting a new project with a new iteration of The Chosen Few built around the works of John Coltrane. The program was part of a wider 2026 tour honoring Coltrane's 100th anniversary.
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Bio/Wiki
| Summary | Isaiah Collier is an American jazz saxophonist, composer, arranger and bandleader based in Chicago and Brooklyn, New York. He leads the ensemble Isaiah Collier & The Chosen Few, which he founded in 2017, and is a member of the AACM. In 2026 he released the EP Joy on Brownswood and toured a Coltrane centennial program. |
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| Early Life | Born and raised on Chicago's South Side, where he grew up in a musical family. He began playing saxophone at age 11. |
| Recognition | Named a Steve Jobs Archive Fellow, Chicago Tribune Jazz Artist of the Year (2024), and a DownBeat Rising Star. His suite The Story of 400 Years was featured on NPR's Jazz Night in America. His album The Almighty was chosen by The New York Times as one of the 10 best jazz albums of 2024. |
Educational Qualification(s)
| High School | Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts) |
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| Training | Jazz Institute of Chicago |
| University | Studied at Chicago State University |
| Summer Program | Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz All Star Peer-to-Peer group |
Personal Life
| Residence | Splits time between Chicago and Brooklyn, New York |
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Relationships & More
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Family
| Siblings | Middle of three sons |
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| Father | Singer and multi-instrumentalist |
| Mother | Choir director |
| Relative in Band | Micah Collier, a regular collaborator |
| Gemini Project | Jazz/R&B/rock fusion band formed with his brother Jeremiah |
Career
| Early Career | Member of Ernest Dawkins' Young Masters Quartet while in high school and performed at the Chicago Jazz Festival as a teenager |
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| Bandleader | Leads Isaiah Collier & The Chosen Few, with albums including Cosmic Transitions (2021) |
| Solo Work | Released Parallel Universe in 2023, his first solo album |
| Notable Album | The Almighty, listed among The New York Times' top jazz albums of 2024 |
| Teaching | Works as an educator |
| Latest Release | EP Joy (Brownswood, 2026), his first time playing piano and singing on record |
| Upcoming Project | Planned premiere of Isaiah Collier & The Defiance in 2027 |
Favourites
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| Chicago Influences |
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Style Quotient
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Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. Performed at the Chicago Jazz Festival while still in high school, reportedly wearing a wide-brimmed cowboy hat | |
| 2. Self-described as a 'sonic scientist' | |
| 3. Recorded with the last group to work with engineer Rudy Van Gelder | |
| 4. Parallel Universe features vocals sung in Yoruba, inspired by a gift from Kenny Garrett |
Social Media