Jd Allen Trio at Bimhuis

Winner Rising Star Jazz Group in the Downbeat Critics Poll! Saxophonist JD Allen is a tenor giant in the tradition of Coltrane, Sonny Rollins and James Carter, his tutor.

Detroit-born tenor saxophonist JD Allen doesn’t have to play a lot of notes to impress. Much like his tutor James Carter, his playing contains strong gospel influences. In New York he cut his teeth in Betty Carter’s band, among others. Critics often praise him as one of the tenor giants of jazz history.

As a composer JD Allen has shown influences of modern classical masters such as Olivier Messiaen and Arnold Schoenberg, but on his recent album Americana his most important source of inspiration is early blues. The album was recorded with his working trio featuring Gregg August and Rudy Royston. Together they won this year’s Downbeat Critics Poll in the Rising Star Jazz Group category....

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Winner Rising Star Jazz Group in the Downbeat Critics Poll! Saxophonist JD Allen is a tenor giant in the tradition of Coltrane, Sonny Rollins and James Carter, his tutor.

Detroit-born tenor saxophonist JD Allen doesn’t have to play a lot of notes to impress. Much like his tutor James Carter, his playing contains strong gospel influences. In New York he cut his teeth in Betty Carter’s band, among others. Critics often praise him as one of the tenor giants of jazz history.

As a composer JD Allen has shown influences of modern classical masters such as Olivier Messiaen and Arnold Schoenberg, but on his recent album Americana his most important source of inspiration is early blues. The album was recorded with his working trio featuring Gregg August and Rudy Royston. Together they won this year’s Downbeat Critics Poll in the Rising Star Jazz Group category.

‘A tenor saxophonist with an enigmatic, elegant and hard-driving style’ (New York Times).

‘His music couples intellect and spirituality without abandoning its earthy roots... The spirit of serious jazz tenor saxophone endures in JD Allen’ (JazzTimes).

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