Alexander L’Estrange (b.1974) is an award-winning British composer, arranger, jazz musician, and choral animateur celebrated for his vibrant fusion of the English choral tradition with jazz. Dubbed “the added 9th of choral music,” he brings a fresh, genre-blending approach to choral composition.
A graduate of Oxford University, L’Estrange is best known for his acclaimed series of 40-minute choral works for SATB choir, unison children’s voices, and jazz quintet, beginning with the international hit Zimbe! Come, sing the songs of Africa!—performed for its 10th anniversary at Carnegie Hall. Since then, literally tens of thousands of primary-aged children have sung in performances of his works, a legacy that reflects his deep commitment to music education and young voices.
His latest pieces—Freedom! The Power of Song and Wellspring! The Way of Water (2025)—were co-written with his wife, composer and lyricist Joanna Forbes L’Estrange.
L’Estrange’s sacred anthems feature on Tenebrae’s On Eagles’ Wings, while his secular settings include Love’s Philosophy and Winter Songs. A prolific arranger for groups like The King’s Singers, he has contributed extensively to Faber Music’s Choral Basics series.
