Alexa Tarantino

Alexa Tarantino is an award-winning, vibrant, young jazz saxophonist, woodwind doubler, composer, and educator. Alexa’s “high-octane [performance]” (Jazziz Magazine) 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 has performed as a leader and sidewoman in a wide variety of ensembles and genres with groups including Wynton Marsalis's Young Stars of Jazz, Cécile McLorin Salvant Quintet & OGRESSE Ensemble, Ulysses Owens Jr. Generation Y, LSAT (quintet co-led with Lauren Sevian ), Arturo O'Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, Sherrie Maricle & The DIVA... and Steven Feifke Big Band. Now, she is also a member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Tarantino’s third studio album, “Clarity”, peaked at #9 on the JazzWeek Charts and landed at #54 for JazzWeek’s Top 100 records of 2019. The following record for Posi-Tone Records, “Firefly”, was released April 16, 2021. She is now releasing her fifth studio album, “The Roar and the Whisper,” (out on July 25, 2025). She holds a Master’s degree in Jazz Studies from The Juilliard School and Bachelor’s degrees in Jazz Saxophone Performance and Music Education from the Eastman School of Music. In February 2021, Alexa launched her new virtual community-style jazz education platform, The Alexa Approach. Alexa Tarantino is a Vandoren Artist and Yamaha Performing Artist.