Full Biography

Shirantha Beddage is a baritone saxophonist, composer and educator from Toronto, Canada. His original music combines hard bop and modern jazz to create a sound that is both accessible and sophisticated.

His latest album, Departures (released October 16, 2026 on Rhea Records), explores the many meanings of leaving, beginning, and moving forward. Shaped by major life changes—including the death of his mother, a new job, and extensive family travels around the world—the album reflects on transition, loss, discovery, and new beginnings.

Prior to Departures, he has released three critically-acclaimed albums as a leader: Roots and Branches, Identity (2013 JUNO nominee) and Momentum (2017 JUNO nominee). As a side musician, he is featured on recordings with the Order of Canada Band, Laila Biali, Nancy Walker, Mike Downes and many others. His compositions and arrangements have been featured at Carnegie Hall, the Montreal Jazz Festival, and on the soundtrack of the Emmy-winning TV series “Fargo”. He currently performs as the leader of his own quartet, and as a side musician with ensembles such as the Carn-Davidson 9 and John McLeod’s Rex Hotel Jazz Orchestra.

Dr. Beddage is Assistant Professor of Jazz at the University of Toronto Faculty of Music. He previously held faculty appointments as Professor of Music at Humber College (Toronto, Canada) and Director of Jazz Studies at the Columbus State University Schwob School of Music (Columbus, Georgia, USA). He also adjudicates regularly at festivals throughout the country including MusicFest Canada, where he serves as Vice-Chairman of Instrumental Jazz.

He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Jazz Studies from the Eastman School of Music, a Master of Music degree in Jazz Studies from William Paterson University, and a Bachelor of Music degree from Humber College.

Shirantha Beddage is a Yamaha saxophone artist and performs on the YBS-62.

For more information, please visit http://shiranthabeddage.com