Alexa Tarantino is an American jazz saxophonist, woodwind doubler, composer, and educator.
Early life and education Alexa Tarantino 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.
Personal life Tarantino is married to pianist, arranger, and composer Steven Feifke. She is currently pregnant, expecting her first child with Feifke.
Musical career She has performed with Sherrie Maricle and the DIVA Jazz Orchestra, 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. 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. 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 Year releasedLeaderTitle LabelNotes2013Colossus Large EnsembleColossusIndependentAlto saxophone, clarinet2015Dariuzs TerenfenkoCrossing PathsInfinite RecordsComposer "Crossing Paths," "Final Breaths," co-arranger, alto saxophone2017The DIVA Jazz OrchestraDiva: 25th AnniversaryArtist ShareAlto and soprano saxophones, composer/arranger/featured soloist "Square One," featured soloist "Seesaw"2017 The DIVA Jazz OrchestraDiva + The BoysMCG JazzAlto saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute, clarinet2018Arturo O'Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz OrchestraFandango at the Wall: A Soundtrack for the United States, Mexico, and BeyondResilience Music AllianceAlto and soprano saxophones, flute2018Lauren SevianBlissPosi-ToneAlto saxophone2018The Verve Jazz EnsembleConnect the DotsLightgroove MediaAlto saxophone, flute2019Something BlueMaximum EnjoymentPosi-ToneAlto saxophone2019LionessPride & JoyPosi-ToneAlto saxophone, composer/arranger "Hurry Up and Wait"2019Chris TealAnalog DreamsOutside-In MusicAlto saxophone2019The Verve Jazz EnsembleNight ModeLightgroove MediaAlto saxophone, alto flute2020Works for MeReach WithinPosi-ToneAlto saxophone, alto flute2020Posi-Tone Records CollectiveTales of Wonder: A Celebration of SteviePosi-ToneAlto saxophone (track one only)2021Ulysses Owens Jr.Soul ConversationsOutside-In MusicAlto saxophone2021Steven FeifkeKineticOutside-In MusicAlto saxophone2021KIMBROUGH EnsembleKIMBROUGHNewvelle RecordsAlto saxophone2022Cécile McLorin SalvantGhost SongNonesuchFlute
References