Brandon Fu, saxophone

Meet Brandon

Brandon performs on Show 465.

Brandon Fu (saxophone), 18, originally from Philadelphia, now resides in Weston, Massachusetts. A dedicated musician and student at Phillips Academy Andover, Brandon has been immersed in music throughout his life. He began playing the clarinet ten years ago and picked up the saxophone five years ago. Currently, he performs with the New England Conservatory Preparatory School’s Youth Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Robert Nieske, and he is the principal saxophonist in the PA Jazz Ensemble and the principal clarinetist in the Chamber and Symphony Orchestras and the Wind Ensemble.

Brandon was featured in the 2022 Massachusetts All-State and District festivals, where he performed under the direction of Ayn Inserto, Jeff Leonard, and Brian Thomas in their respective jazz ensembles. He has also studied under jazz luminaries and professionals such as Tim Lin, Mike Tucker, and Ryan Devlin. In 2023, Brandon was the National YoungArts Award winner for jazz saxophone. His musical journey also took him abroad, where he performed for locals in Lisbon and Porto, Portugal, as part of Phillips Academy’s “Learning in the World” concert series.

Outside of performing, Brandon founded and is president of PA Big Blue Note, which brings jazz to the Andover community through professional artist masterclasses, jazz history discussions, and performances. Brandon has also held presentations during the school’s MLK Day programming for the past two years, where he educated students on the elements of jazz and the beauty of spontaneous creation. Last spring, he delivered a TEDx Talk titled “How to Live Life Like a Jazz Musician,” where he explored how the principles of jazz can enhance relationships, lifestyle, and outlook on life.

Brandon is most proud of co-founding the band “The Repercussions,” creating the largest student-run show on campus, “Den Show.” Over two years, The Repercussions have performed for over 1000 students, playing over 90 songs.

Outside of music, Brandon is a varsity athlete on PA’s men’s volleyball team, a prefect, and a cluster representative on the student leadership council. He is also an avid creative writer, having participated in GrubStreet’s YAWP fellowship in 2024. Brandon currently gigs around Boston for various functions, including birthdays, weddings, and corporate events.