Alex Clarke & Mentor Alex Garnett

Alex Clarke – From Darkness into Light

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 nominee in the Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2021 & 2022, 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 the idiom across a broad spectrum of styles, Alex's sound is steeped in the tradition of bebop. Her respect for the heritage of the music can be heard in a fiery, melodic approach which draws inspiration from the likes of Phil Woods, Cannonball Adderley and Vincent Herring.

During 2024, she has been mentored by renowned tenor saxophonist Alex Garnett, as part of the Jazz Central Mentoring Scheme, supported by Arts Council England. Garnett has helped her to develop her voice as an innovative composer, resulting in an exciting suite of original music entitled ‘From Darkness Into Light’.

This brand new suite explores the emotions and colours evoked by different musical keys, beginning in the most melancholy of tonal centres and gradually moving through to the brightest, most joyful and uplifting sound-worlds.

Whilst rooted in the bop tradition and the double tenor quintets of Ronnie Scott/Tubby Hayes & Gene Ammons/Sonny Stitt, Alex's writing also draws upon on more contemporary influences, inspired by tenor sax heavyweights Joshua Redman and Eric Alexander

"One of the UK’s finest young jazz talents" – The Jazz Rag

"Comfortable and inspired" - Scott Hamilton

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

Line Up: Alex Clarke - saxophones, Alex Garnett - saxophones, David Newton - piano, James Owston - bass & Matthew Holmes - drums