John Alexander

North Carolina’s abundant waters seem to foster exceptional saxophonists, among them natives John Coltrane, Harold Vicks, Lou Donaldson and Tina Brooks. John Alexander shares that birthplace yet continues to make his home in Charlotte, where the local scene readily supports his jazz work. Armed with music degrees from Erskine College and the University of Miami, he launched his professional life in 1961 at thirteen, performing with the Rhythm and Blues ensemble the Counts. During his college years he gravitated toward jazz after absorbing recordings by Charlie Parker, John Coltrane and, most decisively, Michael Brecker’s debut album with Dreams.

Between 1977 and 1983 Alexander worked alongside multi-instrumentalist Ira Sullivan and appeared on the 1983 release Strings Attached. Additional associations have included stints with Louis Bellson, Astrud Gilberto, Curtis Fuller, Lou Rawls and Natalie Cole. His debut recording, Brother, recorded with pianist Gary Marcus, reached the public in 1999; alongside several original compositions, the album demonstrates equal command of Bop, Post Bop and Mainstream idioms. By refusing to confine himself to any single style, Alexander keeps his playing accessible to a wide circle of jazz-saxophone enthusiasts.