“Hernandez’s rich and lush tone offers an unfettered palette of colors that constantly react to the emotional need of the music. His musical intelligence, his talent and his spirit of adventure make him a strong musical collaborator.”
-Nicole Paiement, Artistic Director/Conductor Opera Parallèle, San Francisco
“Michael Hernandez is a truly unique player with a special understanding on playing my music. His playing is a total amalgamation of tone, color, balance, drive, and line that gives the listener a path into the music that is unique and all encompassing.”
Marc Mellits, composer
Current Projects
New Album! The Raschèr Duo Project Release date 8/7/25
Sigurd and Carina Raschèr’s legacy of virtuosic performances and artistry is intertwined with the history of the saxophone. Their musicianship inspired major composers of the twentieth century to contribute to the saxophone’s repertoire, laid the foundation for all concert saxophonists today, and set a standard few have met. In 2024 we established the Raschèr Duo Project to celebrate the Raschèrs’ approach to the soprano and alto saxophones, the repertoire dedicated to them, and the visionary course they charted for these instruments. We are grateful to Carina Raschèr for her mentorship and collaboration in preparing the release of this project.
Available on all streaming platforms as of 8/7/25. If you would like a physical copy please contact Michael directly
More info here
Eyes to Look Otherwise by Juan Sebastián Cardona Ospina
Eyes to Look Otherwise (2024/25)is a new concerto for soprano saxophone and Wind ensemble or Orchestra composed by Juan Sebastián Cardona Ospina and dedicated to Michael Hernandez. The work was commissioned by the Latinx Storytellers Project and is based on the artwork of Mexican-American artist, Tino Rodriguez. Details
Pieces for Michael new works for Soprano Sax & Piano
Pieces for Michael represents a profound tribute to the artistry of Michael Hernandez, showcasing an extraordinary array of works for soprano saxophone and piano that highlight the instrument's remarkable versatility and beauty. This project encapsulates years of dedicated collaboration, reflecting the passionate and unwavering enthusiasm that renowned composers have for Michael’s distinctive musical voice.
This concert will feature six of the thirty composers that have collaborated with Michael including Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, Marc Mellits, Ola Gjeilo, Olivia Keiffer, Karalyn Schubring, and Juan Sebastian Cardona Ospina. Experience this landmark project that honors Michael’s contributions to the music world, celebrating the innovative spirit of contemporary composition.
Called a “groundbreaking ensemble” by the Los Angeles Chronicle, the San Francisco Bay Area-based MANA Quartet has repeatedly won high praise from today’s leading composers, noted as “vigorous and accomplished…deserving every success” and “beautifully balanced…a new bright light in the world of chamber music” by Pulitzer Prize winners Charles Wuorinen and Ellen Taafe Zwilich. Championed as “Saxophone Ambassadors” by Chamber Music Magazine, MANA embodies its namesake as a force advocating for the saxophone in classical music
Meet the MANA Quartet
MANA Mouthpieces
A breath of fresh air
Get empowered . Express yourself no matter where you are on your musical journey.
Experience smooth and flexible sound with effortless articulation, precise high tones, and an ease of projection that few can match.
MANA Mouthpieces is the product of years of touring, performing some of the most demanding chamber music out there, agonizing about sound and tone quality and exploring all available options. Through years of trial and error, we took note of what works and what doesn’t and the result is encapsulated in the MANA Mouthpiece.
