Saxophonist and flutist Ian Hendrickson-Smith is mostly noted for his remarkable tone, soulful approach and blues driven melodies. A genre hopping professional musician possessing mastery across many styles, Ian is a renaissance man with multiple skillsets including audio engineering and graphic design. Six Grammys and appearances at the world’s premier venues add up to a formidable career spanning decades. Currently you’ll mostly find Ian playing on the road with The Roots or on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon where he’s been the saxophonist since 2014.
Hendrickson-Smith’s extensive recording experience includes the release of twelve jazz records as a leader. His most recent, The Lowdown topped out at #7 on the national jazz charts. He’s played on hundreds of albums and/or toured as a sideman with artists such as: The Roots, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, Amy Winehouse, Mark Ronson, Al Green, Lady Gaga, Ed Sheeran, Bob Dylan, Celine Dion, Phish, Queen Latifah, LL Cool J, St Vincent, Dr Lonnie Smith, The Charles Mingus Big Band Workshop, Lee Fields, David Sanborn, Sturgill Simpson, Robbie Williams, Boyz 2 Men, Rufus Wainright, Mofro, The Heavy, Lizzo, Michael Buble and many more.
From 2023 to 2025 Ian co-owned Uncle Cheef, a modern yet old school chic 100 seat music venue in Brewster, NY where they delivered world class live music in addition to an incredible food and beverage program. Click HERE for an archive website of the venue complete with countless hours of video and an extensive photographic library.