She performs alongside big names like Alan Barnes, Alex Garnett, Alec Dankworth, Bruce Adams and Art Themen - catch saxophonist Alex Clarke this weekend at Pangbourne

ALEX Clarke is Sunday’s guest at Pangbourne Jazz.

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, her 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.

Alex also 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 Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra, the Simon Spillett Big Band and Down For The Count.

Outside of jazz, Alex has much experience in playing a variety of music from ska and Motown, to pop and prog rock. As a session musician, she has recorded for numerous projects ranging from folk to Northern Soul, including sessions at Abbey Road Studios.

She will be backed by the Pangbourne Jazz Club rhythm section, Terry Hutchins (guitar), Andy Crowdy (double bass), Jim Pollard (piano) and Brian Greene (drums).

The club meets monthly at PWMC, Rosewood Hall, Whitchurch Road

https://www.alexclarkejazz.co.uk/

£12.50, pay on the door or book online, 7.30pm start. cheap bar, public car park (don’t park at PWMC).