saxophonist Alex Clarke

Saxophonist Alex Clarke

As a finalist in the BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year 2020, winner of the Rising Star category in the 2019 British Jazz Awards and three-time nominee in the Parliamentary Jazz Awards, Alex is known to be one of the most in-demand and versatile saxophonists to have emerged on the British jazz scene.

Praised for her intelligent ear for harmony and a deep knowledge of repertoire across a broad spectrum of styles, Alex’s sound is steeped in the tradition of bebop. Her total respect for the heritage of the music can be heard in a fiery, melodic approach inspired by the likes of Phil Woods, Cannonball Adderley and Vincent Herring.

As a bandleader, Alex’s quartet features some of the UK’s finest musicians: David Newton, Dave Green and Steve Brown. In summer 2022, she released her latest album “Only A Year” and since then, her quartet has toured extensively around the country, appearing at jazz clubs, theatres and festivals including Swanage Jazz Festival, Southport Jazz Festival and Scarborough Jazz Festival.

Alex has performed alongside many notable names such as Alan Barnes, Alex Garnett, Alec Dankworth, Bruce Adams and Art Themen, and regularly works with prestigious larger ensembles such as the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra, the Simon Spillett Big Band and Down For The Count.

Alex has recorded for numerous projects ranging from Folk to Northern Soul, including sessions at Abbey Road Studios. In musical theatre, she held the woodwind chair on the 2024 UK & Ireland tour of 101 Dalmatians.

with Simon Woolf: bass • Dave Newton: piano • Rick Finlay: drums • Jeremy Shoham: sax