Alex Clarke Quartet
Alex is one of the most in-demand and versatile young saxophonists emerging on the British jazz scene whose melodic sound showcases an authentic homage to the art of straight-ahead bebop. Her quartet brings together her fresh sound, with its firm grounding in swing and bebop, with backing from some of the most respected names in British Jazz. Their latest album, ‘Only A Year’, released in 2022, features a mix of innovative arrangements of standards, original compositions and music by the likes of Phil Woods, Erroll Garner and Paquito D’Rivera.
With Rob Barron (pno), Alec Dankworth (bass), Clark Tracey (drums)
Follow the link to buy your tickets now, or use the tabs below to read about the event in more detail, including food options and ticket prices:
SOLD OUT
Please email us at info@guildfordjazz.org.uk if you would like to go on the list for returns
EVENT INFO
The performance is upstairs in Guildford Pavilion, The Sports Ground, Woodbridge Road, Guildford GU1 4RP
Please note there are no physical tickets, just give your name on the door when you arrive. There’ll be seating reserved for you.
Doors open from 7pm, supper served from 7.15pm, and the performance starts at 8pm. There will be an interval and there is a licensed bar. Seating is cabaret style and there is a lift for disabled access.
Pre-gig Valentine Special Menu from Mandira’s Kitchen! Just book your preference of chicken or vegetarian and we’ll confirm with your ticket booking:
“Valentine Special” Menu:
Vegetable Cutlets (served with tomato and date chutney)
Methi Malai Chicken or Paneer (cooked with fenugreek)
Gulabi Pulao (Fragrant basmati rice cooked with beetroot)
Tickets: Full Price £20 (Guildford Jazz members £18), Students £7 (Student Members £5). Meals £13
If you have any questions please contact us by emailing info@guildfordjazz.org.uk
TICKETS
Full Price £20 /Guildford Jazz members £18
Students £7 / Student Members £5
Meals £13
WHO'S PLAYING?
ALEX CLARKE - tenor /ALTO sax
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. 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. Her 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.
As well as leading her own projects, Alex works with many bands up and down the country, performing alongside notable names such as Roy Williams, Bruce Adams, Enrico Tommaso, Gilad Atzmon, Greg Abate, David Newton, and Art Themen.
“One of the UK’s finest young jazz talents” – The Jazz Rag
“strong and full sound… swinging, melodic and refreshingly cliché-free” – Jazz Views
CLARK TRACEY
Clark Tracey’s music is rooted in the bebop and hard bop traditions. He has played alongside some of the most important jazz artists at home and abroad, such as Johnny Griffin, Pharaoh Sanders, John Hicks, Bud Shank, Red Rodney, Scott Hamilton, Ronnie Scott, John Surman, Alan Skidmore, Kenny Wheeler, Alan Barnes, Don Weller and Tommy Smith.
He has recorded 15 albums as a leader and has been awarded ‘Best Drums’ six times in the British Jazz Awards, most recently in 2018. Clark continues to play an ‘Art Blakey’ role by recruiting promising young players to his bands, thereby affording them the all-important exposure to audiences they deserve.
“Clark Tracey, an increasingly important catalyst in the development of young musicians…” – Jazzwise
Rob Barron
Rob Barron is a London based jazz pianist, arranger and composer and has been described as “one of the most creative and versatile musicians of his generation”.
Born in East Yorkshire he started playing the piano at the age of five and by the time he was in his teens, was performing his first gigs with infamous local band Jazz Soup, playing a weekly residency in Hull that lasted over two years. Rob moved to Leeds in 2000 to study Jazz at Leeds College of Music where he was awarded the prize for outstanding performance on the BA Hons programme.
During his time in Leeds he played with Bob Mintzer, Tim Garland and Soweto Kinch and was a first call sideman for visiting artists. After four years of working as a pianist on the Leeds and Manchester scene, Rob moved to London in 2004 to further his studies at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama, gaining an Mmus with distinction in Music Performance. Since graduating, Rob has become a mainstay of the London jazz and studio scene.
His work as a jazz pianist has taken him all over the world and has played with visiting American artists Al Jarreau, Marlena Shaw (Ronnie Scott’s club residencies,) Benny Golson, Phil Woods, Grant Stewart, Sheryl Bailey and in groups lead by leading UK artists Jacqui Dankworth, Stacey Kent, Claire Martin, Dave O’Higgins, Steve Fishwick, Allison Neale, Anita Wardell, Georgia Mancio and Jean Toussaint. Rob was also a member of the award winning group Kairos 4tet. He regularly appears with the BBC Big Band and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra.
ALEC DANKWORTH
Alec Dankworth is an award-winning jazz bassist and composer who, in addition to leading several groups of his own, has worked with an amazing list of artists including Van Morrison, Stephanne Grappelli, Abdullah Ibrahim, and The Dave Brubeck Quartet. He is known for his energetic stage presence, versatility of style and some of the most imaginative bass solos around!
“elegant stability, big sound, sure beat, and thoughtful spontaneity.” -John Fordham, Guardian
DIRECTIONS
The performance is upstairs in the Pavilion building at the Guildford County Cricket Club, The Sports Ground, Woodbridge Road, Guildford GU1 4RP
For sat navs please check the postcode takes you to Wharf Road. There’s a car park alongside, entry from Wharf Road. If you’re approaching from Guildford town centre, Wharf Road is on the left just before the Sports Ground. If you’re approaching from the A3/Ladymead there’s no right turn into Wharf Road, but continue to the next roundabout to double back.
If the car park’s full (please also park down the middle once the bays are full), there are a few parking bays along Wharf Road which you can use after 7pm, also along the Woodbridge Road on the left as you come from the Town centre. You can also park at the far end of the sports ground: turn left as you come out of Wharf Road and carry on along Woodbridge Road towards the railway bridge, and the entrance to the ground is just before the end of the green fence that runs along the perimeter of the ground, next to the Woodbridge Café.
There’s also a larger public car park at Bedford Road Car Park (GU1 4SJ), which is about 10 minutes walk away.
SEATING
Seating is either in front row settees/armchairs, central round tables, or rear high chairs/tables. Seats will be reserved for you when you book. If you’re a Guildford Jazz member, please let us know if you have a seating preference in the “Notes ” section on the booking form. Notes on the layout: Front row: Seats 1, 3 and 4 and 3-seater settees, and seats 2 and 5 are pairs of armchairs. Middle tables: Tables 6 to 20 are small round tables , each seating 4 (for bookings of 1 or 2 seats, we’ll seat you at a table with others, please let us know if you have friends coming who you’d like to sit with!). Table 29 is a small round table seating 2. Rear tables: Tables 21 to 26 are tall tables suitable for 2 people, with high stools. Groups: Tables 27 and 28 are larger tables, ideal for groups up to 8