Dave Sewelson is an American saxophonist, composer, and bandleader known for his work in avant-garde and free jazz. Emerging from New York City’s downtown experimental scene in the late 1970s and 1980s, he became associated with the boundary-pushing energy of the No Wave movement, where jazz, punk, and noise collided in raw, unconventional ways.

Sewelson is particularly recognized for his powerful baritone saxophone playing—often intense, expressive, and unrestrained—though he also performs on other saxophones. His style blends free improvisation with structural awareness, creating music that feels both spontaneous and deliberate.

Over the years, he has led and collaborated on numerous projects, including his long-running ensemble Music for a Free World, which reflects his commitment to collective improvisation and political as well as artistic freedom. His discography spans decades, featuring recordings that explore everything from explosive free jazz to more groove-oriented experimental sounds.

Beyond performing, Sewelson has been an important figure in sustaining the creative music community, organizing concerts and fostering spaces for improvisers to experiment outside mainstream jazz traditions. He remains an active presence in the avant-garde scene, continuing to push the expressive limits of jazz