“[Alexa is] a one-woman wrecking crew, […] an indomitable force for expression, education, and absolute excellence.” – Wynton Marsalis

Alexa Tarantino is a vibrant, young jazz saxophonist, woodwind doubler, composer, and educator. She was named one of the “Top 5 Alto Saxophonists of 2019” by the JazzTimes Critics’ Poll and nominated twice as a “Rising Star – Alto Saxophone” by Downbeat.

Alexa has played the Marciac, Umbria, Xerox Rochester International and Rockport Festivals,  Kennedy Center, Hollywood Bowl, Rose Theater, and the Kimmel Center. She has performed as a leader and sidewoman with the Wynton Marsalis Septet, JALC Orchestra, Cecile McLorin Salvant Quintet and OGRESSE ensembles, Ulysses Owens Jr.’s Generation Y and Big Band, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra,  Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, and the DIVA Jazz Orchestra.

She leads the Alexa Tarantino Quartet, featured at Dizzy’s Club, Birdland, Jazz Standard, and Times Square. The quintet has three releases to date on Posi-Tone Records. She co-leads LSAT with baritone saxophonist Lauren Sevian which recently headlined the Jazz Educators Network Annual Conference in New Orleans. Tarantino has written and recorded works for Sevian’s Bliss, Sherrie Maricle & The DIVA Jazz Orchestra’s 25th Anniversary, and Cécile McLorin Salvant.

Her musical theater work includes The New Group’s Off-Broadway Production of Sweet Charity and Maurice Hines’ production, Tappin’ Thru Life, for the show’s runs in Delaware, Off-Broadway and Philadelphia.

Tarantino is currently on faculty for Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Youth Education Programs. She directs a High School Jazz Academy big band and works with their Jazz for Young People Program for New York City schools. She has been an instructor at Hobart and William Smith Colleges and continues as a guest clinician for the Rockport Jazz Workshop (MA), which she Founded and Directed.  During the pandemic, she co-founded A Step Ahead Jazz workshop with pianist Steven Feifke (now her husband). In February 2021, she launched her virtual community-style jazz education platform, The Alexa Approach.

Alexa Tarantino holds a Master’s degree in Jazz Studies from The Juilliard School and a Bachelor’s in Jazz Saxophone Performance and Music Education from Eastman School of Music. She is a Vandoren Artist and Yamaha Performing Artist.

Alexa was a Litchfield Jazz Camper beginning at age 14 and played with combos whose members were more than five years her senior, until she went off to college.  This is her first appearance as a leader at Litchfield Jazz Festival. Her Quartet includes Steven Feifke, piano, Jared Schonig, drums, and Jennifer Vincent, bass.  Feifke is a GRAMMY Award-winning bandleader, composer, and arranger.