Alex Clarke Quartet

Alex Clarke Quartet

Alex Clarke - Sax,  

David Newton - Piano, 

Dave Green - Bass,  

Steve Brown – Bass

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, theatres and festivals including Swanage Jazz Festival, Southport Jazz Festival and Scarborough Jazz Festival.

Since then she has released “Out Of the Woods” to widespread acclaim.

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 larger ensembles such as the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra, the Simon Spillett Big Band and Down For The Count.

Press/reviews

October 2025 JAZZ VIEWS: 'OUT OF THE WOODS' ALBUM REVIEW

"Quite simply this is timeless small group jazz of the highest quality and unreservedly recommended."

"One of the UK's finest young jazz talents" - The Jazz Rag

"strong and full sound... swinging, melodic and refreshingly cliché-free" - Jazz Views

"Her innate musical ability is backed by rare determination and capacity for hard work and - without any trace of arrogance - confidence in her own decisions" - The Jazz Rag

"This lady plays with gutsiness and a respect for melody that’s often overlooked by younger jazz players today" - The Jazz Cave

"bathe in her command of rhythm and her gorgeous sound on alto and tenor" - All About Jazz

“leaves the listener captivated by every phrase and nuance” - Jazz Views

"A total joy" - Nubya Garcia

"Alex is a musician of the highest calibre, a tone to die for and musical maturity that belies her age and experience" - Whitney Jazz

"Comfortable and inspired"- Scott Hamilton

"Clarke is a rising star...and here is the evidence"- Jazzwise