JD Allen

JD Allen on the GIANT Tenor 8

“A GIANT among mouthpieces. My JodyJazz GIANT Tenor 8 makes it easier to express honest human emotions, which is the ultimate goal for any artist; translating the four basic human emotions of Happiness, Fear, Anger & Sadness - onto his or her horn. This mouthpiece is helping me realize this goal.”

JD Allen Biography

“The spirit of serious jazz tenor saxophone endures in JD Allen.” –JAZZTIMES

JD Allen has been featured on NPR’s Fresh Air, in THE ATLANTIC, The New York Times (on the blues) and hailed by Ben Ratliff as, “a tenor saxophonist with an enigmatic, elegant and hard-driving style,” JD Allen is one of the most thoughtful jazz saxophonists on the scene today. A prolific composer, JD releases a new album every year.

Winner of Downbeat, JazzTimes & NPR polls in categories including NPR’s Best Jazz of the Year, Tenor Saxophonist of the Year, Composer of the Year and Rising Star of the Year and JJA WINNER Short Form Jazz News Documentary, Mario Lathan, for VICTORY! – The Making of JD Allen’s Victory in 2012.

The Detroit natives apprenticeship has largely been in New York, where he has performed, recorded, and toured with legends from Lester Bowie to Betty Carter and Lawrence D. “Butch” Morris to contemporaries Cindy Blackman and Meshell Ndegeocello. Since making a strong impression during his early years in New York, serving an invaluable tenure with Betty Carter, JD has come a long way - now fully possessed of his own sound. JD has appeared on WNYC’S Leonard Lopate Show, Jazz Perspectives, Soundcheck and festivals and has headlined worldwide stages including the Village Vanguard, Newport, Saratoga and Summerstage/Charlie Parker Jazz Festivals. At the request of saxophone colossus, Sonny Rollins and filmmaker Dick Fontaine, JD was invited to open up ceremonies for the screening of the lauded film, “Sonny Rollins – Beyond The Notes” at The 2013 Woodstock Film Festival to great acclaim. JD also appeared in Fontaine’s documentary on Betty Carter some 20 years ago.

JD Allen performs regularly with his own trio and quartet. His latest release, a gorgeous collection of ballads, entitled LOVE STONE, will be released on the Savant label on June 15, 2018.

NPR/Fresh Air feature, HERE

THE ATLANTIC feature, HERE

 

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