Alexa Tarantino

Alexa Tarantino is an American jazz saxophonist, woodwind doubler, composer, and educator.

Early life and education Alexa Tarantino was born in West Hartford, Connecticut, United States.

She obtained a bachelor's degree in Jazz Saxophone Performance and Music Education along with a Certificate in Arts Leadership from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. She received her master's degree in Jazz Studies from The Juilliard School. the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Darcy James Argue's Secret Society, Wynton Marsalis, Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, and Cécile McLorin Salvant, among others.

Tarantino's most recent album, Firefly, was released on Posi-Tone Records in 2021 and reached No. 7 on the JazzWeek Charts. Her second album as leader, Clarity, was also released by Posi-Tone. On it, she plays alto and soprano saxophones, flute, and alto flute. The personnel on this album included Ulysses Owens Jr. (drums), Christian Sands (piano), Joe Martin (bass), and Nick Finzer (trombone).

Tarantino was nominated for "Rising Star – Alto Saxophone" by Downbeat Magazine's Critics' Poll in 2021 and 2020, while JazzTimes Critics' Poll named her one of the "Top 5 Alto Saxophonists of 2019". She has also worked extensively with pianist Steven Feifke. In 2021, Tarantino was a recipient of the Jazz Coalition Fund.

Discography

As leader/co-leader Year releasedTitleLabelPersonnel/Notes2015Crossing PathsInfinite RecordsReleased as a co-leader with pianist Dariusz Terefenko. Composer, "Crossing Paths," "Final Breath," Co-Arranger, Alto Saxophone. Released on Infinite Records, label founded by Tarantino in 2015. 2019Winds of ChangePosi-ToneQuintet featuring Christian Sands (piano), Joe Martin (bass), Rudy Royston (drums), Nick Finzer (trombone). Composer/arranger, Alto and soprano saxophones, Alto flute2020ClarityPosi-ToneQuartet featuring Steven Feifke (piano), Joe Martin (bass), Rudy Royston (drums). Composer/arranger, alto and soprano saxophones, flute and alto flute2021FireflyPosi-ToneQuintet featuring Art Hirahara (piano), Boris Kozlov (bass), Rudy Royston (drums) Behn Gillece (vibraphone). Composer/arranger, alto and soprano saxophones, flute and alto flute, clarinet.

As sidewoman