Stage Talk with Rick Koster
Where every show has something to say.
Q&A Fun: Alto saxophonist Alexa Tarantino of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
In Music, there are certain levels of accomplishments that allow artists to look in the mirror with a well-earned sense of satisfaction and self-appraisal. A few examples:
- You’ve just joined a Yacht Rock cover band on a cruise ship for the summer. You’re likely to say to yourself:
“Wow! A whole summer sailing the high seas with scantily clad revelers, playing Seals and Crofts and Kenny Loggins songs!” Then, looking at the itinerary: “Wait, we’re docking Haiti?!”
- You’ve passed the audition and are now a full-fledged member of a symphony. You’re likely to say to yourself:
“I did it! Mahler! Bach! Debussy!” Then: “I do wish I was more than just the triangle player.”
Or, how’s this one:
- You’re a member of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. You probably don’t say it because you’re not that kind of person, but you could say, “Hmm. I guess I’m one of the freakin’ best jazz musicians in the WORLD.” And you are.
It seemed a fun idea to actually talk to a member of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, particularly since they’re appearing at the Garde on June 29. We reached out to Alexa Tarantino, one of the ensemble’s alto saxophonists.
Alexa, 33, is similarly a woodwinds virtuoso and also tours worldwide with Cécile McLorin Salvant and her own Alexa Tarantino Quartet. Her albums include Firefly, Clarity and Winds of Change and the recently released The Roar and the Whisper— all of which have topped jazz radio charts. She’s also in demand as a session player and sidewoman and represents Jazz at Lincoln Center as a visiting educator for various programs with students of all ages and levels.
Here’s our email exchange.
The Garde: You’ve got a master’s degree in Jazz Studies from The Juilliard School and bachelor’s degrees in Jazz Saxophone Performance and Music Education with a certificate in Arts Leadership from the Eastman School of Music. You quickly established yourself at an elite level in the New York jazz scene as a player and a composer. Still, you’re at a truly elite level with the Lincoln Center band. Talk about your experiences getting integrated into the band.
Alexa: I first met Wynton when I was a high-school student at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s “Essentially Ellington” education program. That experience changed my life, and I am so grateful that I was able to reconnect with Wynton and the band years later after moving to New York City to pursue a career in jazz.
Wynton and (LCJO saxophonists) Sherman Irby and Ted Nash have been incredible mentors to me — I have learned, and continue to learn, so much from them. What I admire most about them is their drive, tenacity, and commitment to staying hungry to learn, play, and live and breathe this music every single day.
They each are constantly striving to reach new heights, to try things differently, to learn something new. The same can be said for each member of the band — we challenge and inspire each other each night, no matter what we’ve had to deal with that day on the road, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Garde: Describe the difference between leading your own quartet and working in a large ensemble like the JLCO.
Alexa: Both settings are incredibly rewarding, but they require different mindsets. When I’m leading my quartet, I’m responsible for shaping the artistic vision, from the repertoire and arrangements to the overall direction of the performance.
With the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, I’m part of a collective made up of some of the most talented artists in the world. The focus shifts toward serving the ensemble sound, contributing to a larger artistic vision, and meaningfully diving into our vast repertoire that spans the history of jazz.
Garde: When the Orchestra is on the road in exotic and distinctive cities around the world, are there any traditions, rituals or memorable meals that stand out from your travels together?
Alexa: Yes, we have incredible memories from our travels! We are fortunate to visit many countries, cities, and communities — each one is unique and soulful. I have fond memories of big, boisterous family-style meals in Romania, Japan, Taiwan and beyond.
We also have a tradition of celebrating each other’s birthdays when we are on the road together, whether it’s with a cake or an impromptu “Happy Birthday” onstage, or a meaningful toast backstage. We spend most of our time together, away from home and our families, so developing and maintaining our own “family traditions” is important and it’s one of my favorite things about the band.
Garde: You have a remarkable new album out called The Roar and the Whisper. That suggests the dynamics of the music, and we’re curious whether such a distinctive title occurred to you first and then dictated the course of writing the music — or was it the other way around?
Alexa: The music came first. As I was developing the material for the album, I found myself thinking a lot about contrast between power and vulnerability, intensity and restraint. The album title comes from a memorable experience that Cécile McLorin Salvant and I had while we were in New York.
A total stranger interrupted us, attempting to make his way into our conversation over and over again. We were taken aback by this person’s boldness and tactlessness. In response, we had polar opposite reactions. My reply was “the roar” — strong, matter-of-fact, and loud. Cécile’s approach was “the whisper” — quiet, but undeniably clear, and direct. In general, the pieces on the record are connected to various emotions and characters that I feel we all carry and experience as common ground that can bring us together.
Garde: You’re from West Hartford and are (sorta) returning home with the Garde concert. We’re a world-class venue, but it’s also true that our audience demographic is probably different than what you experience in many cities and at Lincoln Center. Is it rewarding in a different way to bring your music to a crowd that perhaps isn’t regularly exposed to this style of music and level of virtuosity?
Alexa: We never take for granted the opportunity to play for people who want to be there. Each audience brings their own spirit, and we are looking forward to connecting with your audience at the Garde!