April Jazz Club

This month’s Jazz Club has not one, but two acts for you: Stratford Girls Jazz Band & Alex Clarke Quartet

Stratford Girls’ Jazz Band are a skilled, young, all-female jazz band who perform a variety of traditional swing classics mixed with more contemporary repertoire. They are experienced performers, both through their outreach work – bringing jazz to the younger generation in local primary schools – and through public performances, raising money in charity concerts, summer events and a New York tour, performing in professional jazz clubs. They bring their energy, enthusiasm and vibrance to every song; don’t be fooled by their youthful appearance, they’ve got some chops!

Alex Clarke, 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 three-time Parliamentary Jazz Awards nominee, is recognised as one of the most in-demand saxophonists on the British jazz scene. Rooted in the bebop tradition, her powerful, melodic playing draws inspiration from the likes of Phil Woods, Sonny Stitt & Cannonball Adderley. Alex has performed with notable names such as
Alan Barnes, Alex Garnett & Mark Nightingale and regularly works with top ensembles including The Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra. Leading her own quartet featuring some of the UK’s finest musicians, namely David Newton, Dave Green and Steve Brown, Alex has performed at leading venues and festivals such as Swanage Jazz Festival, Pizza Express Soho and Scarborough Jazz Festival. Alex’s latest album, Out of the Woods, was released in Autumn 2025 and celebrates the legacy of alto saxophonist Phil Woods. The album features a selection of classic repertoire, lesser-known
gems associated with Woods, and original compositions inspired by his unmistakable sound.

Alex Clarke – alto sax 
Matt Ratcliffe – piano
Mike Green – bass

Doors 7pm. First set 8pm