Alexa Tarantino

Alexa Tarantino (born May 30, 1992 in West Hartford, Connecticut) is an American jazz saxophonist, woodwind doubler, composer and educator.[1]

Alexa Tarantino
Background information
Born (1992-05-30) May 30, 1992
OriginWest Hartford, Connecticut, US
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsSaxophone, woodwinds
Associated actsDIVA Jazz Orchestra
Websitealexatarantino.com

Early life and education

Tarantino obtained a bachelor's degree from the Eastman School of Music and a master's degree from Juilliard.[2]

Musical career

She has played with Sherrie Maricle and the DIVA Jazz Orchestra,[3] 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.[2]

JazzTimes Critics' Poll named Tarantino one of the "Top 5 Alto Saxophonists of 2019".[4] Tarantino's debut album as leader, Winds of Change, was released by Posi-Tone Records in 2019, and reached No. 15 on the JazzWeek charts and No. 79 on the 2019 JazzWeek Top 100.[5] The personnel on this album included Ulysses Owens Jr. (drums), Christian Sands (piano), Joe Martin (bass), and Nick Finzer (trombone).[6][7][8] Her second album as leader, Clarity, was also released by Posi-Tone.[9] On it, she plays alto and soprano saxophones, flute, and alto flute.[9] She has also worked extensively with pianist Steven Feifke.[10][11][12]

Endorsements

Tarantino is endorsed by Vandoren[13] and Yamaha.[14]

Discography

As leader/co-leader
Year released Title Label Personnel/Notes
2015 Crossing Paths Infinite Released as a co-leader with pianist Dariusz Terefenko. Composer, "Crossing Paths," "Final Breaths," Co-Arranger, Alto Saxophone
2019 Winds of Change Posi-Tone Quartet. Composer/arranger, Alto and soprano saxophones, Alto flute
2020 Clarity Posi-Tone Quartet. Composer/arranger, alto and soprano saxophones, flute and alto flute

As sidewoman
Year released Leader Title Label Notes
2013 Colossus Large Ensemble Colossus Independent Alto Saxophone, Clarinet
2015 Dariuzs Terenfenko Crossing Paths Infinite Composer "Crossing Paths," "Final Breath," Co-Arranger, Alto Saxophone
2017 The DIVA Jazz Orchestra Diva: 25th Anniversary Artist Share Alto and Soprano Saxophones, Composer/Arranger/Featured Soloist "Square One," Featured soloist "Seesaw"
2017 The DIVA Jazz Orchestra Diva + The Boys MCG Jazz Alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute, clarinet[15]
2018 Arturo O'Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra Fandango at the Wall: A Soundtrack for the United States, Mexico, and Beyond Resilience Music Alliance Alto and Soprano Saxophones, Flute
2018 Lauren Sevian Bliss Posi-Tone Alto saxophone[16][17]
2018 The Verve Jazz Ensemble Connect the Dots Lightgroove Media Alto saxophone, Flute
2019 Something Blue Maximum Enjoyment Posi-Tone Alto saxophone[18]
2019 Lioness Pride & Joy Posi-Tone Alto Saxophone, Composer/arranger "Hurry Up and Wait"[19]
2019 Chris Teal Analog Dreams Outside-In Music Alto Saxophone
2019 The Verve Jazz Ensemble Night Mode Lightgroove Media Alto Saxophone, Alto Flute
2020 Works for Me Reach Within Posi-Tone Alto saxophone, alto flute[20]
2020 Posi-Tone Records Collective Tales of Wonder: A Celebration of Stevie Posi-Tone Alto Saxophone [Track One Only]

References
  1. "12 Pop, Rock and Jazz Concerts to Check Out in N.Y.C. This Weekend". The New York Times. 2019-05-23. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  2. Tauss, Lucy. "Alexa Tarantino Leads Charge for a More Inclusive Jazz Scene". JazzTimes. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
  3. "Square One Arrangement". The DIVA Jazz Orchestra. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
  4. JazzTimes. "2019 Expanded Critics' Poll Results - JazzTimes Magazine". JazzTimes. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  5. "Year End". JazzWeek. 2013-01-01. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  6. "Alexa Tarantino Juggles the Jazz Life". downbeat.com. 2019-06-06. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
  7. "Jazz Woodwind Player Alexa Tarantino Impresses on 'Winds of Change'". PopMatters. 2019-05-29. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
  8. Jurkovic, Mike (2019-08-08). "Alexa Tarantino: Winds of Change". All About Jazz. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
  9. Boyd, Herb (August 2020). "Alexa Tarantino: Clarity". DownBeat. Vol. 87 no. 8. p. 47.
  10. Boyd, Herb. "Alexa Tarantino: Clarity". Retrieved 2020-10-14.
  11. "Steven Feifke and Alexa Tarantino". Retrieved 2020-10-14.
  12. "New York City musicians Alexa Tarantino & Steven Feifke present Sunday Livestreams via Crowdcast". Retrieved 2020-10-14.
  13. "Alexa Tarantino". Dansr. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
  14. "Alexa Tarantino | Yamaha Artists". www.yamaha.com. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
  15. Hale, James (March 2020). "The DIVA Jazz Orchestra: DIVA + The Boys". DownBeat. Vol. 87 no. 3. p. 48.
  16. Jackson, Ashawnta (September 2018). "Lauren Sevian: Bliss". DownBeat. Vol. 86 no. 9. p. 71.
  17. Chinen, Nate. "Take Five: Sharp New Music by David Sanchez, Ryan Keberle, Matt Mitchell & Alexa Tarantino". www.wbgo.org. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
  18. Simms-Burton, Michele L. (April 2019). "Something Blue: Maximum Enjoyment". DownBeat. Vol. 86 no. 4. p. 61.
  19. "12 Women Influencing the Future of Jazz". pastemagazine.com. 2019-04-10. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
  20. Freeman, Phil (March 2020). "Reach Within: Works for Me (Posi-Tone)". The New York City Jazz Record. No. 215. p. 14.
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