At age 34, bassist Alexander Claffy has become one of the most in-demand performers of his generation, both as a sideman working with the biggest names in Jazz and Popular music, and also as a bandleader, composer and producer having just released his seventh album as a leader “Alive in Philadelphia, Vol 1 ” in spring 2026 with legends Seamus Blake, Kevin Hays, Bill Stewart and Jaleel Shaw. Living in New York City but born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, Claffy is one of the bright new artists in his hometown’s storied lineage, following in the footsteps of Philadelphia bass luminaries such as Christian McBride, Percy Heath and Jimmy Garrison. His resumé as a sideman reads as a veritable who’s who of Jazz royalty, ranging from Jazz masters such as George Coleman, Harold Mabern, Randy Brecker, Jimmy Cobb, George Cables, Wallace Roney, Mike LeDonne, Fred Hersch, Victor Lewis, and Louis Hayes, to the top stars of today such as Brad Mehldau, Nicholas Payton, Christian Adjtunde Adjuah, Kevin Hays, Benny Green, Carl Allen, Aaron Parks, Seamus Blake and Kurt Rosenwinkel - the latter of which he’s appeared with five times at Village Vanguard since the Summer of 2022. His work in more Pop settings with the likes of trumpet icon Chris Botti, guitar icon Steve Miller, the genre-bending songstress Veronica Swift and breakout Hamilton star vocalist Leslie Odom Jr. prove his versatility as a bassist and musician know no bounds. When he’s not touring the world headlining major Jazz festivals and clubs, Claffy can be found in any of the top venues in New York City’s decorated Jazz scene such as Birdland, the Blue Note, Dizzy’s Club, JazzCultural, SMOKE and Smalls, as well as frequent trips back to Philadelphia, where he is committed to enriching and enlivening his hometown scene as well. In his spare time he’s an avid vinyl collector, has a voracious appetite for podcasts and the greats of stand-up comedy, as well as his dedication to his work as a clinician and teacher, hosting a private studio of bass students as well as adjunct work at his alma mater, the New School of Jazz, Jazz House Kids, and the Tribeca Jazz Institute.