allison neale is a jazz saxophonist and flautist. born in seattle, usa, and raised in northamptonshire, uk, she started playing by ear at an early age, assimilating the stylistic approach of many players, but above all paul desmond and art pepper, with whom she still has a particular affinity. spending her formative years playing alto in the midland youth jazz orchestra, she had the opportunity to perform with many leading international artists such as adelaide hall, bobby shew,bud shank, and lanny morgan, amongst others. she also held the flute chair in the national youth jazz orchestra between 1996 and 1998. after completing a Ba(Hons) in performing arts at de montfort university, allison attended the guildhall school of music and drama in london, where she attained a postgraduate diploma in jazz and studio music. the allison neale quartet, which features dave cliff on guitar, simon thorpe on bass, and matt skelton on drums, can be seen playing at venues in london and around the uk on a regular basis. allison is also involved in other ongoing bands and projects, including the contemporary brazilian ensemble caratinga and a quintet with trumpeter gary cavanagh. the debut cd by the allison neale quartet "melody express" was released in early 2004 on 33 records.