José Antonio Zayas Cabán is a multi-GRAMMY®-nominated saxophonist, McKnight Fellow, and activist whose work bridges music and social justice. Born and raised in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, he now resides in Minneapolis, where he leads Our Streets as Executive Director.
His artistic projects, including El País Invisible and ROMANCE AL CAMPESINO PORTEÑO, reflect on cultural identity and political narratives, bringing Caribbean and Latin American influences to contemporary chamber music. As a co-founder of the chamber music trio {trés}, he has performed extensively across the United States, Central America, and the Caribbean, commissioning and premiering works that explore themes of heritage and social change.
Zayas Cabán is also on faculty at St. Joseph’s School of Music, where he teaches applied saxophone. His work continues to inspire and challenge audiences, fostering a deeper understanding of the intersections between art, identity, and activism.