Jazz: Alex Clarke Quartet

Saxophonist Alex Clarke has really taken the UK jazz scene by storm over the past couple of years and is incredibly busy performing all over the UK. Back in January, she appeared at the club in a twin sax line-up alongside Dan Newberry, and this time we’re very pleased to welcome her back to present her own regular all-star quartet.

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 Clarke is known to be one of the most in-demand and versatile young saxophonists to have emerged on the British jazz scene. Since the age of 15 – where she saw her first public performance sitting in with the Exall/Roberts Quintet at Pershore Jazz Festival – Alex has been a regular face at jazz clubs and festivals all around the country. Known for her versatility and open-minded attitude towards jazz, Alex enjoys performing a range of genres from New Orleans to bebop. Praised for her extensive repertoire list and intelligent ear for harmony, she brings a youthful, intuitive approach that always sounds authentic in a variety of musical settings. Alex’s musical voice is steeped in the tradition of jazz; her deep respect for the heritage of the music can be heard in her swinging, melodic sound which is reminiscent of Scott Hamilton and Lester Young, also heavily influenced by Phil Woods and Cannonball Adderley.

It’s also great to welcome back pianist David Newton, who has been voted Best Pianist in the British Jazz Awards no less than ten times, and has long associations with some of the UK’s top instrumentalists such as Don Weller and Alan Barnes. His exquisite touch has made him accompanist of choice for vocalists such as Claire Martin and Stacey Kent.

Bassist James Owston is a recent graduate of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and performs regularly at some of the UK’s most highly regarded jazz venues including Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express, 606 Club, The Vortex, The Spotted Dog and Peggy’s Skylight.

Last, but very much not least, it is amazing to have drummer Clark Tracey visiting the club, one of the few UK players to have “Jazz Royalty” status. First coming to prominence playing alongside his illustrious father Stan, Clark went on to lead his own bands and become something of a British Art Blakey in that his groups have always included some of the finest emerging talents in the front-line and he has helped many now well-established performers to launch their careers. Although tonight’s gig is under Alex Clarke’s name, Alex is also a member of Clark’s current quintet line-up. Clark Tracey was voted Best Drummer in the British Jazz Awards 2017 and 2018, and besides his drumming career he also works tirelessly to keep his father’s legacy alive by reissuing many classic recordings on his Resteamed record label.

Please note that this event is in the larger upstairs Studio room.