Alex Clarke, Sax, with The Terry Hutchins Qrt

Finalist in the BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year 2020
Winner of the “Rising Star” category in the 2019 British Jazz Awards
Brand Ambassador for Play It Again UK

Alex is known to be one of the most in-demand and versatile reeds players emerging on the British jazz scene.

Praised for her extensive repertoire list and intelligent ear for harmony, she brings an open-minded, intuitive approach that sounds authentic in a variety of musical settings from New Orleans to bebop. Alex’s sound is steeped in the tradition of jazz; her deep respect for the heritage of the music can be heard in her swinging, melodic approach which is inspired by the likes of Phil Woods and Cannonball Adderley.

As well as leading her own bands, The Alex Clarke Hot Five (New Orleans) and Alex Clarke Quartet (straight-ahead), Alex has performed alongside many notable names such as Gilad Atzmon, Greg Abate, Bruce Adams and Art Themen.

In 2018, Alex released her debut Quartet album “Mirage”, featuring Tom Kincaid (piano), Ed Harrison (bass) and Eryl Roberts (drums). She works regularly with the highly acclaimed jazz, blues and country vocalist/pianist TJ Johnson, and in October 2019, featured on his latest album entitled “Songs from the Jazz Country”.

Alex studied at The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in 2018, but left at the end of the year to focus on teaching and performing. 

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 Steve Brown and has been working regularly with the Ronnie Scott's Jazz Orchestra since 2023. Her latest release, Out in the Woods is availale on ABC records.