Research Interests
Music Music Composition Music composition and improvisation Music Performance Music educationMr Alexander Taylor
Lecturer
Elder Conservatorium of Music and School of Performing Arts
College of Creative Arts, Design and Humanities
Alex Taylor is a trombonist, sousaphonist, composer, arranger, and educator based in Adelaide, Australia. He was a semi-finalist in the 2017 Australian National Jazz Awards and released his debut album Sleep Faster on Wizard Tone Records in 2019. In 2021, has performed with the Australian National Jazz Orchestra (2021). Additional highlights include performing with Vince Jones, The Cat Empire, Lisa Simone, and Midnight Oil.
Alex’s compositions and arrangements have been performed throughout the Adelaide music scene including by several projects under his leadership. He has been commissioned to compose set pieces for ABODA-SA Bands Festival and the SA Schools Jazz Festival, and served as an adjudicator for high school band festivals.
Alex completed his Masters degree in 2025 and is currently Lecturer in Music (Jazz performance) at the Elder Conservatorium of Music where he teaches trombone, leads masterclasses and tutorials, and directs the Elder Conservatorium Big Band. Since 2014, he has volunteered for Creative Original Music Adelaide (COMA) committee and currently serves on its Artistic Direction Team.
Alex is an XO Brass artist and plays the XO 1634 tenor trombone.
| Date | Position | Institution name |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 - ongoing | Lecturer in Music (Jazz Performance) | University of Adelaide |
| 2019 - 2019 | Music Teacher/Band Leader | Pembroke School |
| 2018 - 2022 | Music Tutor | Westminster School |
| 2017 - 2017 | Coordinator of Instrumental and Vocal Music, and Teacher | Westminster School |
| 2015 - 2025 | Instrumental Music Teacher | St.Peters College |
| 2013 - 2025 | Casual Lecturer in Trombone | University of Adelaide |
| 2013 - ongoing | Freelance Musician | Self Employed |
| 2013 - ongoing | JazzSA Superband Director | JazzSA |
| Date | Type | Title | Institution Name | Country | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Achievement | National Jazz Awards Semi-Finalist | Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues | Australia | - |
| Date | Institution name | Country | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 - 2025 | University of Adelaide | Australia | Masters of Philosophy (Music) |
| 2016 - 2016 | University of Adelaide | Australia | Graduate Diploma of Education |
| 2013 - 2013 | University of Adelaide | Australia | Bachelor of Music (Honours - First Class) |
| 2012 | University of Adelaide | Australia | Bachelor of Music |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Taylor, A., Voss, T., Deanshaw, A., Pope, C., Mensforth, R., & Ferguson, J. (2025). Adelaide Slide Workers Union (No. Of Pieces: 45 minutes) [Performance]. Creative Original Music Adelaide. |
| 2025 | Taylor, A., Voss, T., Deanshaw, A., Pope, C., Mensforth, R., & Ferguson, J. (2025). Adelaide Slide Workers Union (No. Of Pieces: 45 minutes) [Performance]. Creative Original Music Adelaide. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Authors: Taylor A. Title: Sawubona (Composed by Dusty Cox, Arranged by Alex Taylor). Extent: 87 pages (score and parts). |
| 2025 | Authors: Taylor A. Title: Now That You're Gone (Composed by Dusty Cox, Arranged by Alex Taylor). Extent: 71 pages (score and parts). |
| 2024 | Authors: Taylor A. Title: Have You Got A Minute?. Extent: 53 pages, score and parts. |
| 2021 | Authors: Taylor A. Title: In That Number. Extent: 54 Pages, score and parts. |
| 2016 | Authors: Taylor A. Title: These Are The Good Old Days. Extent: 58 Pages, score and parts. |
| 2013 | Authors: Taylor A. Title: Thinking Of One. Extent: 58 pages - score and parts. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2021 | Authors: Taylor A. Title: Alex Taylor Quartet. Extent: 40:18. |
| 2021 | Authors: Taylor A. Title: Exquisite Corpse #1/A. Extent: 3 minutes. |
| 2021 | Authors: Taylor A. Title: Exquisite Corpse #1/A. Extent: 3 minutes. |
| 2019 | Authors: Taylor A. Title: Sleep Faster. Extent: 44:56. |
| Course / Activity | Year(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jazz Trombone Lecturer | 2013 – Present | Instrumental tuition for undergraduate jazz trombone students. |
| Brass Masterclass | 2013 – Present | Jazz performance masterclass for trumpet and trombone students |
| Elder Conservatorium Big Band | 2025 – Present | Direction of flagship jazz ensemble including rehearsals, repertoire selection, and performance coordination. |
| Small Ensemble | 2025 – Present | Direction of small jazz ensembles, focusing on contemporary and traditional jazz repertoire. |
| 1A/B Tutorial – Piano Skills | 2021 – Present | Development of functional piano skills for first-year jazz students. |
| 2A/B Tutorial – Piano/Arranging Skills | 2024 – Present | Further development of piano skills leading into jazz arranging skills. |
| Date | Role | Board name | Institution name | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 - 2024 | Board Member | JazzSA | JazzSA | Australia |
| Date | Role | Committee | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 - ongoing | Board Member | COMA Committee | Creative Original Music Adelaide | Australia |
| Date | Role | Membership | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 - ongoing | Member | Music Arrangers Guild of Australia | Australia |
| Date | Engagement Type | Partner Name |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 - ongoing | Collaboration | XO Brass Australia - Trombone Artist |
