About Saxl Rose
Antonio Hancock, professionally know as Saxl Rose, is an American musician, multi-instrumentalist, recording & touring artist and producer from Baltimore, Maryland.
By the time Saxl began traditional music study in elementary school, he already had several years of performing experience under his belt through playing in church. He began studying music performance & marketing throughout high school & college; even completing a saxophone program at Berklee College of Music.
Shortly after this, Saxl became involved in a string of musical projects including his own rock/metal band ‘’Listen For The Light’’ and Maryland Pop-punk band "Chasing Morgan". During this time, he was featured on the FUSE network television show ‘’Warped Roadies’’ covering his hometown performance on the tour.
By the time Saxl began traditional music study in elementary school, he already had several years of performing experience under his belt through playing in church. He began studying music performance & marketing throughout high school & college; even completing a saxophone program at Berklee College of Music.
Shortly after this, Saxl became involved in a string of musical projects including his own rock/metal band ‘’Listen For The Light’’ and Maryland Pop-punk band "Chasing Morgan". During this time, he was featured on the FUSE network television show ‘’Warped Roadies’’ covering his hometown performance on the tour.
After years of playing the role of supporting cast, Saxl set out to carve out his own lane in the music industry.
"I was recording with my band Listen For The Light at what is now Mixwave Studios in Bethesda, Maryland. Our producer at the time, Taylor Larson, had formed a pop band with drummer Luke Holland. They only knew me as a guitarist at the time, but once I mentioned I also played sax and had it with me, next thing you know I was recording saxophone on their new song. Taylor & Luke both posted the video to their Instagram's and everyone just seemed to think it was so cool... and I remember it all just instantly clicking for me. Like wow, I DO play sax. And I love rock, metal, hip-hop and R&B. I love all of these bands. I'm going to start covering the bands and artists I like and just put my own spin on it with sax and see what happens."
Little did Saxl know how far that idea would take him. After recording a cover of ‘’Ain’t It Fun’’ by Paramore, it was quickly seen and shared by the lead singer, Hayley Williams on her social media platforms who praised Saxl's unique and smooth approach to their music. Saxl's version of "Ain't It Fun" went on to reach over a quarter million views in less than 12 hours on Twitter. Saxl continued covering new Paramore songs right as they set on their "After Laughter" album tour. Hayley Williams began engaging with each one of these videos, encouraging her fans to watch and enjoy the vibes Saxl was creating. Many of their fans began tagging Saxl in posts that were encouraging the band to allow him to join them on stage to perform it live. Little did Saxl know... those wishes would come true! During the Maryland stop of their After Laughter tour, lead singer Hayley Williams sent a direct message to Saxl who was in attendance, asking if he wanted to perform their Grammy Award Winning hit song, "Ain't It Fun" live on stage, to which Saxl humbly accepted! The moment was captured and the videos and pictures began to circulate and even received press coverage in Alternative Press and Rock Sound magazines.
"I was recording with my band Listen For The Light at what is now Mixwave Studios in Bethesda, Maryland. Our producer at the time, Taylor Larson, had formed a pop band with drummer Luke Holland. They only knew me as a guitarist at the time, but once I mentioned I also played sax and had it with me, next thing you know I was recording saxophone on their new song. Taylor & Luke both posted the video to their Instagram's and everyone just seemed to think it was so cool... and I remember it all just instantly clicking for me. Like wow, I DO play sax. And I love rock, metal, hip-hop and R&B. I love all of these bands. I'm going to start covering the bands and artists I like and just put my own spin on it with sax and see what happens."
Little did Saxl know how far that idea would take him. After recording a cover of ‘’Ain’t It Fun’’ by Paramore, it was quickly seen and shared by the lead singer, Hayley Williams on her social media platforms who praised Saxl's unique and smooth approach to their music. Saxl's version of "Ain't It Fun" went on to reach over a quarter million views in less than 12 hours on Twitter. Saxl continued covering new Paramore songs right as they set on their "After Laughter" album tour. Hayley Williams began engaging with each one of these videos, encouraging her fans to watch and enjoy the vibes Saxl was creating. Many of their fans began tagging Saxl in posts that were encouraging the band to allow him to join them on stage to perform it live. Little did Saxl know... those wishes would come true! During the Maryland stop of their After Laughter tour, lead singer Hayley Williams sent a direct message to Saxl who was in attendance, asking if he wanted to perform their Grammy Award Winning hit song, "Ain't It Fun" live on stage, to which Saxl humbly accepted! The moment was captured and the videos and pictures began to circulate and even received press coverage in Alternative Press and Rock Sound magazines.
From the success of his "Ain't It Fun" video, he also gained the attention of UK Pop-Punk band Neck Deep through their former drummer, Dani Abasi. Dani invited Saxl to come perform with the band live in Baltimore on their new hit single "In Bloom".
After the electric crowd response from the addition of Saxl, Neck Deep continued to invite Saxl back on more dates of their US ‘’The Peace & The Panic’’ album tour. This tour included a string of sold-out venues including PlayStation Theatre in New York City, Rams Head Live in Baltimore and Henry Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles, SOMA in San Diego, and Starland Ballroom in New Jersey. Saxl was also featured on NBC’s ‘’Last Call with Carson Daly’’ in April of 2018.
The band followed this up with an official re-release of In Bloom featuring Saxl Rose.
In 2019, Saxl joined Neck Deep for the entirety of their UK arena tour. This tour ended with a massive show at Wembley Arena.
Saxl also performed on several dates during Neck Deep's 2019 amphitheater tour supporting Blink-182 and Lil' Wayne.
After the electric crowd response from the addition of Saxl, Neck Deep continued to invite Saxl back on more dates of their US ‘’The Peace & The Panic’’ album tour. This tour included a string of sold-out venues including PlayStation Theatre in New York City, Rams Head Live in Baltimore and Henry Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles, SOMA in San Diego, and Starland Ballroom in New Jersey. Saxl was also featured on NBC’s ‘’Last Call with Carson Daly’’ in April of 2018.
The band followed this up with an official re-release of In Bloom featuring Saxl Rose.
In 2019, Saxl joined Neck Deep for the entirety of their UK arena tour. This tour ended with a massive show at Wembley Arena.
Saxl also performed on several dates during Neck Deep's 2019 amphitheater tour supporting Blink-182 and Lil' Wayne.
Since then, Saxl has been collaborating with a stream of popular bands & artists, being featured both on recordings and during live performances. He also performed multiple dates on 2018's final Vans Warped Tour as a solo artist, as well as 2019's 2-day Warped Festival in Atlantic City.
He also joined Bobby V for a string of shows between 2019-2023 as a part of his live band. Saxl also recorded saxophone for Chris Brown's indiGOAT tour.
During the pandemic, Saxl's content attracted the attention of Grammy Nominated artist, Wiz Khalifa. Wiz began inviting Saxl to collaborate on countless recordings and albums. The most prominent being "Trap Nap" which was featured on Wiz's Deluxe album "The Saga of Wiz Khalifa". As well as "Million Dollar Moment" which became the official theme song for the PFL on ESPN and ESPN2. Saxl also recorded saxophone, guitar and additional production on Wiz's most recent commercial album, Multiverse. Saxl has also collaborated with several of the artists signed to Wiz's Taylor Gang record label including Chevy Woods, Young Deji and more.
He also joined Bobby V for a string of shows between 2019-2023 as a part of his live band. Saxl also recorded saxophone for Chris Brown's indiGOAT tour.
During the pandemic, Saxl's content attracted the attention of Grammy Nominated artist, Wiz Khalifa. Wiz began inviting Saxl to collaborate on countless recordings and albums. The most prominent being "Trap Nap" which was featured on Wiz's Deluxe album "The Saga of Wiz Khalifa". As well as "Million Dollar Moment" which became the official theme song for the PFL on ESPN and ESPN2. Saxl also recorded saxophone, guitar and additional production on Wiz's most recent commercial album, Multiverse. Saxl has also collaborated with several of the artists signed to Wiz's Taylor Gang record label including Chevy Woods, Young Deji and more.
After recording & producing on Multiverse, Saxl went on to sign a multi-record deal with Next Paradigm Music. His first feature on the label showed him his first Billboard charting song. Soon after, Saxl released his debut single "Alone with You" which went on to chart in the top 100 on Billboard.
.After the release of his debut single, Saxl went on to perform around the US selling out his own shows and has also continued to collaborate with bands & artists. He was later featured and interviewed on NBC's Baltimore News Station, WBAL-TV, as apart of their annual holiday special in both 2022 and 2024. Saxl also won Baltimore's Best Wedding Entertainment of 2023 & 2024.
In December of 2024, Saxl released the first installment of his Midnight Melodies series on all streaming platforms.
More recently, Saxl became an ambassador for the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation - helping to raise awareness about the challenges faced by those living with IBD and advocating for better treatment options and support for the community. Saxl was featured as a Keynote Speaker at IBD Innovate 2025, an annual event hosted by the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation bringing together healthcare professionals, researchers, biotech companies, and stakeholders to explore new treatments, technologies, and solutions for those living with IBD. Saxl has also officially partnered with Fzata Inc., a Maryland-based biotechnology company developing groundbreaking oral antibody therapies for IBD and other conditions.
In December of 2024, Saxl released the first installment of his Midnight Melodies series on all streaming platforms.
More recently, Saxl became an ambassador for the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation - helping to raise awareness about the challenges faced by those living with IBD and advocating for better treatment options and support for the community. Saxl was featured as a Keynote Speaker at IBD Innovate 2025, an annual event hosted by the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation bringing together healthcare professionals, researchers, biotech companies, and stakeholders to explore new treatments, technologies, and solutions for those living with IBD. Saxl has also officially partnered with Fzata Inc., a Maryland-based biotechnology company developing groundbreaking oral antibody therapies for IBD and other conditions.
Saxl's follow up single "Sunset" featuring 4-time No. 1 Billboard artist & pianist, Kayla Waters, debuted at #3 on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Charts and #1 on MediaBase and Smooth Jazz Network, via Next Paradigm Music. In support of "Sunset" and his Midnight Melodies project, Saxl embarked on his own self-organized US Spring Tour, The Sunset Melodies Tour. In addition to his own performances, Saxl was also a featured guest on tour with JoJo and Spiritbox. Other notable performances included Berks Jazz Fest, Sweet Virginia Jazz Fest and Davie Jazz Fest.
In November 2025, Saxl released his highly anticipated follow-up single "Cruise Control". Cruise Control was added a week early to SiriusXM Watercolor's radio playlist and was the #3 Most-Added on Billboard.
Saxl is currently finishing up his upcoming album, Trap Saxl. An album inspired by his recent work with Wiz Khalifa
In November 2025, Saxl released his highly anticipated follow-up single "Cruise Control". Cruise Control was added a week early to SiriusXM Watercolor's radio playlist and was the #3 Most-Added on Billboard.
Saxl is currently finishing up his upcoming album, Trap Saxl. An album inspired by his recent work with Wiz Khalifa
