Born in Oxford in 1981, Alexander Hawkins is a pianist with a fast-growing reputation, described as having a ‘fierce technique’ and ‘a wizard’s touch’. Equally at home with completely free as with complex notated territories, he works in improvised idioms ranging from funk to jazz to non-idiomatic European styles. He has worked with many of the iconic figures of the British scene, including in Evan Parker’s trio and quartet, and performed at venues ranging from Symphony Hall, Birmingham, to London’s Vortex Jazz Club. He co-leads The Convergence Quartet (featuring New Yorkbased North Americans Taylor Ho Bynum and Harris Eisenstadt), whose debut album was met with critical acclaim, and featured in two publications’ end-of-year ‘top ten albums of 2007’ lists; the ensemble Barkingside, whose debut album was released on the prestigious Emanem label; and is the leader of his own Ensemble, featuring former Blue Note recording artist Orphy Robinson.