In 1979, Alex and Nels Cline, along with bassist Eric von Essen and violinist Jeff Gauthier, formed "Quartet Music", a group that enjoyed continued success in its performances and four recordings over an eleven-year period and was awarded grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the California Arts Council.
As the leader of his own group, The Alex Cline Ensemble, he can be heard on Sparks Fly Upward and The Constant Flame,[3] two releases on Cryptogramophone Records, an LA-based independent creative-jazz label.
Cline has also been the curator of the Open Gate Theatre's Sunday Evening Concerts series, a new music/creative jazz showcase held monthly in Eagle Rock, California (since 1997).
[2] Cline has worked with Gregg Bendian, Tim Berne, Arthur Blythe, Bobby Bradford, John Wolf Brennan, John Carter, Buddy Collette, Mark Dresser, Marty Ehrlich, Vinny Golia, Henry Grimes, Charlie Haden, Joseph Jarman, Henry Kaiser, Yusef Lateef, Charles Lloyd, Myra Melford, Frank Morgan, Don Preston, Elliott Sharp, and Wadada Leo Smith.
With Quartet Music With Gregg Bendian With Tim Berne With John Wolf Brennan With Nels Cline With Jeff Gauthier With Vinny Golia With Richard Grossman With Ross Hammond With Armen Nalbandian With David Moss, Alex Cline, Andrea Centazzo With John Rapson With others