JD Allen Trio

JD Allen Trio

Tweet

This event is expired ( Oct 27, 2012 )

INTERNATIONAL JAZZ SERIES
From New York
JD Allen Trio

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2012
TICKETS - MEMBERS $24, GUESTS $28
DOORS 8 PM - SHOW 9 PM

www.jdallenmusic.org

JD Allen - tenor saxophone
Gregg August - bass
Rudy Royston - drums

Hailed by the New York Times as "a tenor saxophonist with an enigmatic, elegant and hard-driving style," JD Allen is a bright rising light on today's international jazz scene. His unique and compelling voice on the instrument - the result of a patient and painstaking confrontation with the fundamentals of the art - has recently earned Allen a blaze of critical attention signaling his ascension to the upper ranks of the contemporary jazz world.

Originally from Detroit, Allen's apprenticeship, anchored by his lengthy tenure with Betty Carter, occurred largely in New York, where he worked with legends Lester Bowie, George Cables, Ron Carter, Louis Hayes, David Murray and Wallace Roney. He added his voice to that of his contemporaries as well; Cindy Blackman, Eric Revis, Orrin Evans, Meshell Ndegeocello, Dave Douglas, Jeremy Pelt, Gerald Cleaver and Nigel Kennedy continue to call upon him to augment their musical visions.

A couple of quintet albums on European labels have been followed by four trio discs all featuring his long-standing bassist Gregg August and drummer Rudy Royston. His reputation increased with each release with his third trio CD "Victory" being ranked as the third best jazz album of 2011 by National Public Radio. The 2011 Downbeat Critics Poll named him the No. 1 Rising Star Tenor Saxophonist. Several other publications also ranked "Victory" on their 2011 "Best of" lists. Allen's 2012 recording on Savant entitled "The Matador and the Bull" has just been issued to great acclaim including a 4 star review in Downbeat.

There are a couple of interesting things to note about the JD Allen Trio. First, to have released four straight tenor trio discs with the same bassist and drummer is quite unusual these days. These special collaborators continuously and personally illuminate Allen's modern mainstream tenor playing sometimes reminiscent of John Coltrane's mid-60s style. There is a complete ease among these musicians. August and Royston seem to know intuitively how to follow Allen's intricate phrases.

Second, and particularly with respect to "Victory" and "The Matador and the Bull", virtually all of the tunes are less than four minutes long. But for all their brevity, they are rich in content and never sound rushed. The level of discourse is very high, reflecting intensity and focus but never self-indulgence.

Besides his jazz credentials, Gregg August is also the Assistant Principal Bassist with the Brooklyn Philharmonic. One of the rising stars of the drums, Rudy Royston has performed and recorded recently with the likes of Bill Frisell, Dave Douglas, Ralph Bowen, Ben Allison and Bruce Barth.

Is this EVENT no longer running? Does it need updating?

Help us keep our listings current by  letting us know.

During the COVID 19 pandemic, some restrictions may be put in place on live music and venues around you. These measures may force some or all events for a period of time to be canceled or postponed. Please check the venue website & their social media feeds before heading out!