Chesterfield Jazz Club presents Alex Clarke, Saxophone

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 have toured extensively around the country, appearing at jazz clubs and festivals including Swanage Jazz Festival and Scarborough Jazz Festival.As well as working as a bandleader, Alex performs alongside many notable names such as Alan Barnes, Alex Garnett, Alec Dankworth, Bruce Adams and Art Themen, and regularly works with prestigious big bands such as The Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra and The Simon Spillett Big Band.Outside of jazz, Alex has much experience in playing a variety of music from Ska and Motown, to Pop and Prog Rock. She is equally comfortable working alongside DJs for private and corporate functions. As a session musician, Alex has recorded for numerous projects ranging from Folk to Northern Soul, including sessions at the iconic Abbey Road Studios in London. Alex currently holds the woodwind chair on the UK & Ireland tour of 101 Dalmatians.As an educator, Alex worked at Warwick School for 3 years as their Music Assistant, as well as tutoring for organisations such as The National Youth Jazz Collective at workshops, Summer Schools and Saxophone Days across the country. She is also available for private tuition online, and in person in the Warwickshire area.Alex is proud to be an official Vandoren Artist, using their reeds and accessories across all horns.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/2VxRmBn2NTLJb5tV9RpSVfk/alex-clarke