First generation Filipino-American and 2008 Thelonious Monk Saxophone Competition winner Jon Irabagon has been recognized as one of his generation's premier and original talents on alto, tenor and sopranino saxophones, as well as a busy and active contributor to many of today's most cutting edge and exploratory artists.  He has been in the bands of Barry Altschul, Dave Douglas, Mary Halvorson, Uri Caine and Ralph Alessi as well as toured and/or performed with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, the Village Vanguard Orchestra, the Maria Schneider Orchestra.   Irabagon runs his own record label, Irabbagast Records, to release his own uncategorizable music as well as many of today's shining improvisatory stars, including Anders Svanoe, the Uptown Jazz Tentet, Brandon Lee, Josh Sinton and Clark Sommers.