Tim Hagans (born August 19, 1954) is a jazz trumpet player, arranger and composer. He has been nominated for three Grammy Awards: for Best Instrumental Composition for "Box of Cannoli" on The Avatar Sessions (Fuzzy Music 2010); for Best Contemporary Jazz CD for Animation*Imagination (Blue Note 1999); and again for Best Contemporary Jazz CD for Re-Animation (Blue Note 2000).
Hagans grew up in Dayton, Ohio. His early inspirations included Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, and Thad Jones, to whom he dedicated For the Music Suite, a 40-minute piece for jazz orchestra composed on a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. In 1974, Hagans joined the Stan Kenton band., with whom he played until 1977, when he toured with Woody Herman. He then left for Europe, where he lived in Malmö, Sweden, a hotbed of the European jazz scene. While in Europe, he toured extensively and played with Dexter Gordon, Kenny Drew, Horace Parlan, and Thad Jones. His first recorded composition, "I Hope This Time Isn't the Last," appears on Thad Jones Live at Slukefter (Metronome, 1980). In 1987, Hagans moved to New York City. He has performed with Maria Schneider, Yellowjackets, Steps, Secret Society, and Gary Peacock. Hagans has worked extensively with producer and saxophonist Bob Belden on a variety of recordings and live performances, including their ongoing Animation/Imagination project. Festivals at which he has performed include the Mount Fuji Festival in Japan, the Montreal Jazz Festival, the Berlin Jazz Tage, and the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.
Just the other day some dude asked me
where I'm gonna spend eternity
He said I didn't know my future was wack
so he opened up the holy book and showed me that
F-R-E-E that spells 'free'
salvation for you and me
says there in John 3:16
In your King James or your NIV
now I'm kinda glad we had that little chat
and I know I'll go to heaven when I take the dirt nap
Whose the one that set me free?