Jazz@PJC is really excited to have Alex come and perform at our club. As 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 & 2022, Alex is known to be one of the most in-demand and versatile saxophonists to have emerged on the British jazz scene. Praised for her intelligent ear for harmony and a deep knowledge of repertoire across a broad spectrum of styles, Alex's sound is steeped in the tradition of bebop. Her total respect for the heritage of the music can be heard in a fiery, melodic approach inspired by the likes of Phil Woods, Cannonball Adderley and Vincent Herring. In summer 2022, she released her quartet's latest album Only A Year, which features some of the UKs finest musicians: David Newton, Dave Green and Clark Tracey. Since then, the Alex Clarke Quartet have gone on to make numerous appearances at jazz clubs and festivals such as Peggy's Skylight, Southport Jazz Festival and Scarborough Jazz Festival. As well as working as a bandleader, Alex performs alongside many notable names such as Alan Barnes, Bruce Adams and Art Themen, and has worked with prestigious big bands such as The Ronnie Scotts Jazz Orchestra and The Simon Spillett Big Band. She is also a member of The Clark Tracey Quintet, who have an upcoming CD release and tour in Spring 2024. Outside of jazz, Alex has had much experience playing a variety of music from Ska and Motown, to folk and prog rock. She is equally comfortable working alongside DJs for private and corporate functions. As a session musician, Alex has recorded for projects ranging from folk to Northern soul, including sessions at the iconic Abbey Road Studios in London. As an educator, Alex worked at Warwick School for 3 years as their Music Assistant, as well as tutoring for organisations such as The National Youth Jazz Collective at workshops, Summer Schools and Saxophone Days across the country. She is also available for private tuition online, and in person in the Warwickshire area. Alex is proud to be an official Vandoren Artist, using their reeds and accessories across all horns.

Originally from Perth, Western Australia, Brandon Allen relocated to London in 2000 and has become one of the foremost Saxophonists on the British Jazz Scene. A sensationally exciting player. Since arriving in the UK, he has worked with many high profile artists and groups/ensembles as a saxophonist, in various genres. Whilst well known for his virtuosity, he is an all round musician - leadings his own groups as well as collaborating with other artists. A regular session musician - working in a variety of musical settings, in the studio and remotely. And a composer and arranger of Jazz music, writing for other artists and for his various jazz & crossover groups, as well as composing music for Film, TV and other media platforms. Brandon's distinctive saxophone sound has been featured on film soundtracks including Alfie (2004) and 'The Look of Love' (2013). He is featured on 4 Kyle Eastwood albums and numerous other releases. Brandon has a played with Eric Clapton, Paloma Faith, Kyle Eastwood, Mica Paris, Jools Holland, Gary Barlow, Neil Diamond, Adam Nussbaum, Gary Husband, Ibrahim Maalouf, Antonio Forcione, Stefano Di Battista, Fred Nardin, Tony Lakatos, Charlie Wood, Jason Rebello, Gwylim Simcock, Omar Lyefook, Sarah Jane Morris, Camille Bertault, Jamie Oehlers, Mat Jodrell, Hamish Stuart, Mike Nock, Liane Caroll, Dennis Rollins, The Feeling, The Filthy Six, Gwyneth Herbert, Keith Tippett, Tony Hadley, Roachford, Candi Staton, US3, Carleen Anderson, James Torme, The BLOCKHEADS, Omar Kamal, Tony Christie, John Etheridge, Soweto Kinch, Noel McKoy, Guy Barker, Natalie Williams, The Laurence Cottle Big Band, Claire Martin, The BBC Big Band, Jesse Van Ruller, Stan Tracey, Peter King, Darius Brubeck, Ronnie Cuber, Lew Soloff, Mark Nightingale, Richie Cole, Benjamin Herman, Nigel Hitchcock, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Beverley Knight, Robin McKelle and the Czech National Symphony Orchestra. Brandon is known to PJC, as he was featured in The Big Colors Big Band performance to bring in 2025. We look forward to welcoming him back for his own solo guest slot in 2026

Time & Location 06 Jul 2025, 19:30 22:00 Pangbourne Jazz Club, Rosewood Hall, 1 Whitchurch Rd, Pangbourne, Reading RG8 7BS, UK About the event Remarkably versatile and expansive guitarist/singer, encompassing swing, bebop, blues, rock and everything between, Denny is equally acclaimed for his thrilling guitar playing, smooth vocalising and appearances at Ronnie Scotts fronting his jazz salute to Jimi Hendrix with the Electric Lady Big Band. Denny has done a lot of touring all over the world: all over Europe; Australia; the States; the Middle East. Playing his guitar in different bands; For fifteen years now Ive worked with a wonderful singer from New Orleans called Lillian Boutté. Shes the official musical ambassador for New Orleans; a title only previously held by Louis Armstrong so it just goes to show you how amazing she is. He worked with the great Pee Wee Ellis who was James Browns musical director for a few years and was also Van Morrison. Denny is extremelyversatile and also likes to play a sort of gypsy swing style; a bit like Django Reinhardt in a band I have called Moscow Drug Club. They have done a lot of touring in the UK and some on the continent too. Additionally he has toured with his good friend James Mortons band Pork Chop which features Ian Mathews; the great drummer from Kasabian. One of Denny's favorite things to do is play with other guitar players. He has played with great Jazz players like Jim Mullen John Etheridge; Martin Taylor and recently from New York, Howard Alden. Denny comes from something of a musical family, his father was a trumpet player. Denny started off on the trumpet when he was about 8 years old and when he got to 16 he remebers hearing a strange noise coming from his brothers bedroom and it was the first notes of Foxy Lady by Jimi Hendrix and, suddenly blown away and I had to get a guitar. I put the trumpet in the case and it hasnt come out since. We always look forward to Denny returning to Pangbourne, he is a firm favourite and much loved guest. A knock-out player soulful and jazz-tinged Guitarist Comprehensive mastery of the guitar The Whitman Review

Time & Location 10 Aug 2025, 19:30 22:00 Pangbourne Jazz Club, Rosewood Hall, 1 Whitchurch Rd, Pangbourne, Reading RG8 7BS, UK About the event British Jazz Award-winning Derek Nash - bandleader, composer, arranger, record producer and engineer - is one of the UKs busiest jazz musicians.He is leader of six bands, each with its own unique sound and featuring some of the top jazz musicians in the UK today. Derek has been a full-time member of the Jools Holland Rhythm & Blues Orchestra since 2004 and is also a member of the Ronnie Scotts Blues Explosion. With these bands, he has enjoyed sharing the stage with many great artists including Tom Jones, Eric Clapton, David Sanborn, Jack Bruce, Amy Winehouse, Michael Buble and Sir Paul McCartney. He is one of the most in-demand and respected guest instrumentalists for jazz clubs across the UK and has received numerous nominations in the British Jazz Awards. In the jazz-funk world he has performed with David Benoit, Brian Culbertson, Ernie Watts, Mezzoforte, Nelson Rangell and Don and Dave Grusin. Derek is a prolific composer, regularly penning compositions for his various bands and undertaking commissions. He has also composed for television and radio. As an arranger, and following in the footsteps of his father, Pat Nash (who was an arranger for the BBC Northern Dance Orchestra) Derek has worked for many major artists including Jools Holland, Annie Lennox, David Sanborn, Nile Rogers, Gregory Porter and Chaka Khan.