Bio

Dr. Jason Alder is a contemporary, improvising, and electronic musician whose work spans (low) clarinets, saxophones, experimental performance, music technology, and theatre. Originally from metro Detroit, he moved to Amsterdam in 2006 and has lived and worked across Europe since then, maintaining an active international career as a soloist, chamber music and ensemble member, improviser, multi-genre collaborator, woodwind doubler, studio session musician, researcher and educator. He is currently based in London, UK.

(Contra)(Bass) Clarinet and New music

Internationally recognized as one of the world's leading specialists in bass and contrabass clarinet, Jason pioneers new and contemporary music and has premiered numerous works—many written specifically for him—by composers including Christian Wolff, Stefan Prins, Louis Aguirre, Francisco Castillo Trigueros, and Andys Skordis. He released a solo album, Milieu Interieur, featuring new works for soprano, bass, and contrabass clarinets by Thanos Chrysakis. His flute and clarinet Shadanga Duo commissioned new works from Denmark’s Snow Mask composers group, and he continues to collaborate with them on new projects. He is the clarinetist for the Paradox Orchestra and has performed with ensembles including the London Contemporary Orchestra, West Green House Opera, Ostravska Banda, Insomnio Ensemble, and the Amsterdam Collage Ensemble. In 2018, he became the first person to perform on contrabass clarinet in Cuba.

Improvisation

Active in the improvisation scene, Jason performed in the electro-acoustic duo Sonido 13, created live film soundtracks with the Magic Lantern Show Orchestra, and collaborates with dancers, theatre makers, and multimedia artists. He has recorded an improvised clarinet-trio album with Alex Ward and Tom Jackson (Tottenham Hale), an album of contrabass clarinet duos with Piotr Michalowski (Contradictions), and additional albums with improvisers including Thanos Chrysakis, Charlotte Keefe, James O’Sullivan, Caroline Kraabel, and Yoni Silver.

Jazz, World, Pop Music

Jason also moves fluidly through jazz, world, and popular music genres. He toured internationally with the psychedelic klezmer-jazz quartet Payazen!, performed on baritone saxophone with the afrobeat band JORO, played tenor sax in indie-rock groups The Lazlo Device and The Palumbo Phunk, and appears widely as a recording and performing session musician across rock, indie, jazz, contemporary classical, and electro-acoustic projects. In the studio, his contrabass clarinet playing is particularly sought after by soundtrack composers and producers. His performances can be heard on film and television scores for Paramount, BBC, ITV, RTL+, and Apple TV+. His theatre work includes pit orchestras, woodwind doubling, guitar and bass guitar for musical productions, and performing with Grammy- and Tony-winner Idina Menzel and Rob Mounsey on her World Tour.

Electronics

As an electronic musician and technologist, Jason has reconstructed historical electro-acoustic works by Stockhausen, designs custom performance software, and creates original electro-acoustic music. His academic background includes extensive work in electronic and computer music.

Teaching

An experienced educator, he maintains a private studio and teaches internationally through workshops, masterclasses, and university residencies, focusing on advanced rhythm, improvisation, contemporary performance, music production, and woodwind technique.

Research and Publications

Jason's research and publications have made a significant impact within the clarinet community. He is the author of widely used quarter-tone and altissimo fingering charts for clarinets, referenced internationally by performers, teachers, composers, and conservatoires, and contributes regularly to The Clarinet and Clarinet and Saxophone journals.

Education

Jason holds degrees from Michigan State University (US – Clarinet Performance), the Conservatorium van Amsterdam (NL – Bass Clarinet Performance), and a Master’s from the ArtEZ Conservatorium (NL – Jazz & Pop). He earned his PhD from the Royal Northern College of Music (UK) with research on the contrabass clarinet. Jason has also spent a significant amount of time in the advanced study of South Indian Karnatic rhythmic concepts—studying in India with B.C. Manjunath and applying these principles to contemporary classical, jazz, and improvisational practices.

Organizations

He is an active member of the International Clarinet Association, serving on the New Music Committee and the Low Clarinet Festival Artistic Leadership Team, and was the co-artistic director for ClarinetFest 2024 in Dublin. Jason is also a member of the European Clarinet Association and the Clarinet and Saxophone Society of Great Britain.

Recording and Sound Engineer

Jason is also a recording and sound and runs Alder Music and Audio, recording live concert and on-location sessions, albums for artists, and producing sound design for screen.

Jason is an artist for Selmer, D’Addario, Behn, and Silverstein.