Dean Kalaitzidis is an emerging Melbourne/Naarm saxophonist and composer who takes inspiration directly from the icons of contemporary Australian Jazz, coming from the sounds and compositional styles of such greats as Julien Wilson, Bernie McGann, Andrea Keller, Barney McAll, and Allan Browne, amongst others. A graduate of the Melbourne Conservatorium, last year he released a highly ambitious and well-received double LP album, Slatland, featuring an octet.