Alex Clarke (saxophonist)

Alexandra Berenice Clarke (born 14 December 1999) is an[1] English jazz saxophone player, bandleader and educator.

Alex Clarke
Clarke in 2018
Background information
Birth nameAlexandra Berenice Clarke
Born (1999-12-14) 14 December 1999
Macclesfield, England
GenresJazz
Instrument(s)
Alto Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
Clarinet
Flute
Years active2016–present
Websitealexclarkejazz.co.uk

Awards

Clarke was a finalist in the BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year 2020,[2] winner of the Rising Star category in the 2019 British Jazz Awards[1] and nominee in the Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2021[3] & 2022.[4]

Education

Clarke attended King's School, Macclesfield and has studied saxophone with Andy Scott, Andy Panayi and Dean Masser. Attending the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Clarke left after a year[2] to pursue an active career on the British Jazz scene and later named her 2022 album Only A Year[5] in reference.

Clarke is an alumna of the UK-based National Youth Jazz Collective, attending the Short Course in 2015 and the 7-day Summer School in 2016, 2017 & 2018.[6] Notable tutors she has gone on to work with regularly include Karen Sharp, Alec Dankworth and Steve Waterman and Clarke herself is now a tutor for NYJC.[7]

Career

An active participant on the British Jazz scene since 2016, Clarke has appeared alongside notable British Jazz musicians including Alan Barnes,[8] Art Themen,[9] Henry Lowther,[10] Mornington Lockett,[11] Mark Nightingale, Clark Tracey and Spike Wells, and has opened for American pianist Emmet Cohen.[12]

Featuring regularly with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and the Simon Spillett big band, since 2020 Clarke has been touring her own quartet featuring Dave Newton, Dave Green and Clark Tracey and has been working regularly with the Ronnie Scott's Jazz Orchestra since 2023.

Discography

As a leader

  • 2018: Mirage
  • 2022: Only A Year (Stray Horn Records)

With T.J. Johnson

  • 2019: Songs From The Jazz Country

With Chris Hodgkins And His Band

  • 2022: A Salute To Humphrey Lyttelton

With Jake Leg Jug Band

  • 2022: Live At Audley Theatre (Green Bullet Records)
  • 2023: Hello Central (Green Bullet Records)

With Pacific Jazz

  • 2023: The Lockdown Sessions

With Clark Tracey Quintet

  • 2024: Introducing Emily Masser (Stray Horn Records)

References
  1. Big Bear Music. "2019 British Jazz Awards Results Announced".
  2. BBC. "BBC Young Musician, 2020, Jazz Final - Alex Clarke".
  3. London Jazz News. "Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2021 – Nominees Announced".
  4. Jazzwise. "Nominations announced for the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2022".
  5. Jazz News. "Alex Clarke Quartet – Only A Year".
  6. National Youth Jazz Collective. "Alex Clarke - National Youth Jazz Collective".
  7. NYJC. "Tutors - National Youth Jazz Collective".
  8. LOSRA. "Alex Clarke & Alan Barnes with Terence Collie Trio at RAC, 14th May".
  9. Herts Jazz. "Art Themen/Alex Clarke Quintet | Herts Jazz Club".
  10. Newcastle Arts Centre. "The Jazz Cafe presents 'A Salute to Humphrey Lyttelton' - Newcastle Arts Centre".
  11. EFG London Jazz Festival. "Peter King Memorial Sax Summit feat Mornington Lockett with Alex Clarke".
  12. Band on the Wall (November 2023). "Emmet Cohen Trio + The Alex Clarke Quartet".
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