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.

Alexa Tarantino is a Vandoren Artist and Yamaha Performing Artist.