Alexa Tarantino Quartet

Steven Feifke, piano | Joe Martin, bass | Rudy Royston, drums

Director of the Rockport Jazz Workshop, Alexa Tarantino is an award-winning, vibrant jazz saxophonist, woodwind doubler, composer, and educator. Alexa’s “lovely, ardent way of improvising,” and “sharply plotted but gracefully unencumbered straight-ahead jazz [compositions]” (The New York Times) establish her individual voice which shines through as a dynamic performer and educator. Tarantino performs regularly as a leader and sidewoman in a wide variety of ensembles and genres including Wynton Marsalis & the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Cécile McLorin Salvant’s OGRESSE, Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra (holding a weekly residency at Birdland Jazz Club), Sherrie Maricle & the DIVA Jazz Orchestra, LSAT (her new quintet co-led with baritone saxophonist Lauren Sevian), and the Alexa Tarantino Quartet.

Tarantino is currently on faculty for the Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Youth Programs and previously taught at Hobart Smith College.  She holds a master’s degree from The Juilliard School and bachelor’s degrees from the Eastman School of Music.  Tarantino is a regular clinician and adjudicator across the globe as well as founding director of the Rockport Jazz Workshop.