J. D. Allen
JD Allen | |
---|---|
Born | Detroit, Michigan | December 11, 1972
Genres | Jazz |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instrument | Tenor saxophone |
Years active | 1996–present |
Labels | Criss Cross, Sunnyside, Savant |
Website | https://www.jdallentenor.com/ |
J.D. Allen III (born December 11, 1972)[1] is a jazz tenor saxophonist and composer.
Career
After moving to New York City, he played with George Cables, Betty Carter, Ron Carter, Jack DeJohnette, Frank Foster, Butch Morris, David Murray, and Wallace Roney. Closer to his generation, he has played with Lucian Ban, Cindy Blackman, Gerald Cleaver, Dave Douglas, Orrin Evans, Duane Eubanks, Marcus Gilmore, Russell Gunn, Winard Harper, Elisabeth Kontomanou, Meshell Ndegeocello, Jeremy Pelt, Eric Revis.[2]
Allen's first solo album, In Search Of (Criss Cross, 1999), led to his selection as Best New Artist in Italy. In 2002, his second album was chosen a top ten album of the year by Jazziz magazine. Ten years later he was named best composer and best tenor saxophonist in the Critics' Poll at DownBeat magazine.[2] A critic at NPR picked his album Victory (Sunnyside, 2011) for the number three spot in the top twenty albums of 2011.[3]
Discography
As leader
- In Search of J.D. Allen (Criss Cross, 1999)
- Pharaoh's Children (Criss Cross, 2003)
- I Am I Am (Sunnyside, 2008)
- Shine! (Sunnyside, 2009)
- Victory! (Sunnyside, 2011)
- The Matador and the Bull (Savant, 2012)
- Grace (Savant, 2013)
- Bloom (Savant, 2014)
- Graffiti (Savant, 2015)
- Americana: Musings on Jazz and Blues (Savant, 2016)
- Radio Flyer (Savant, 2017)
- Love Stone (Savant, 2018)
As co-leader
- Red Stars (2004) with Victor Lewis and Fabio Morgera
As sideman
With Cindy Blackman
- Works on Canvas (2000)
- Someday (2001)
- Music for the New Millennium (2006)
With Orrin Evans
- The Band – Live at Widener University (2005)
- Easy Now (2005)
With Winard Harper
- Trap Dancer (1998)
- Winard (1999)
With Lisa Hilton
- Twilight & Blues (2009)
- Underground (2011)
- American Impressions (2012)
- Kaleidoscope (2014)
- Horizons (2015)
- Nocturnal (2015)
With Fabio Morgera
- Slick (1998)
- Colors (2000)
With Jeremy Pelt
- November (MaxJazz, 2008)
- Men of Honor (HighNote, 2010)
- The Talented Mr. Pelt (HighNote, 2011)
- Soul (HighNote, 2012)
With others
- Duane Eubanks, Second Take (1998)
- Elisabeth Kontomanou, Embrace (1998)
- Russell Gunn, Blue on the D.L. (2002)
- Eric Revis, Tales of a Stuttering Mime (2004)
- Lucian Ban, The Tuba Project (2005)
- Nigel Kennedy, Blue Note Sessions (2006)
- Gerald Cleaver, Detroit (2007)
- Tarbaby, The End of Fear (2010) with Orrin Evans
- Ozan Musluoglu, 40th Day (2011)
- Jaimeo Brown, Transcendence (2013)
References
- ^ "Allen, J.D.". Current Biography Yearbook 2010. Ipswich, Massachusetts: H.W. Wilson. 2010. pp. 5–8. ISBN 9780824211134.
- ^ a b Nastos, Michael G. "J.D. Allen". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
- ^ Jarenwattananon, Patrick (9 December 2011). "The Best Jazz of 2011". NPR.org. Retrieved 12 February 2018.