Memphis-based Alex Upton (they/them) is a saxophonist, composer, and educator with a deeply-rooted passion for the creation of all musics both old and new. Alex has been nationally recognized as a soloist and has performed and recorded with artists including Rahsaan Barber, Rachel Therrien, Stephen Anderson, and Baron Tymas. 

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In 2022 Alex was awarded first prize at the North American Saxophone Alliance Jazz Artist Competition, open to collegiate saxophonists across the continent under age 27 and one of the most prestigious and competitive events of its kind. In 2023, Alex was featured as a soloist at the 2023 North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference, where they premiered the Cold Chicken Suite, a commissioned suite for soloist and large jazz ensemble by eight-time Grammy Award winning bassist and composer Christian McBride. Alex has also presented original compositions at the Jazz Education Network conference and has been featured as a soloist at the John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival. Alex's voice as a player and composer is featured through their work with the 360 Jazz Initiative Ensemble (Summit Records) as well as their own endeavors as a bandleader. Alex's voice can most recently be heard on their debut album release Portraits of a Silent Moment, their most ambitious creative project to date. 

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Alex holds their Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where they were awarded the prestigious full-tuition Kenan Music Scholarship. While at UNC, Alex studied with renowned faculty including Rahsaan Barber, Heidi Radtke, Jim Ketch, and Stephen Anderson. Alex is currently pursuing their Master of Music at University of Memphis Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music, where they study with Dr. Michael Shults and Dr. Jack Cooper. 

 

 

When not performing, Alex enjoys nurturing younger musicians and helping them to find their voice. Alex currently holds a graduate assistant position at the University of Memphis, where they instruct private saxophone lessons and coach Jazz Combo I. In addition, Alex has served as an improvisation instructor and combo coach at both the John Coltrane Jazz Workshop and the UNC Summer Jazz Workshop.