The winner of the 2008 Thelonious Monk Saxophone Competition, Irabagon has since topped both the Rising Star Alto Saxophone and the Rising Star Tenor Saxophone categories in the DownBeat Magazine Critics’ Poll and been named one of Time Out New York’s 25 New York City Jazz Icons. Jon was also named 2012 Musician of the Year in The New York City Jazz Record. An integral member of such high-profile ensembles as the Dave Douglas Quintet and the Mary Halvorson Quintet, as well as an established bandleader in his own right, his list of current projects includes Rudy Royston's 303 and Mike Pride’s From Bacteria to Boys as well as a longstanding partnership with legendary drummer Barry Altschul.