J.D. ALLEN

Hailed by the New York Times as "a tenor saxophonist with an enigmatic,
elegant and hard-driving style," J.D. Allen is one of the most thoughtful jazz saxophonists on the scene today.

The Detroit natives’ apprenticeship has largely been in New York,
where he has performed, recorded, and toured with legends Lester Bowie,
George Cables, Betty Carter, Ron Carter, Jack DeJohnette, Frank Foster Big Band, Winard Harper, Butch Morris, David Murray, Wallace Roney, and
contemporaries Cindy Blackman, Orrin Evans, Gerald Cleaver, Eric Revis, Marcus Gilmore, Russell Gunn, Me'shell N'degeocello, Dave Douglas and Nigel Kennedy, among others.

J.D.'s debut album, In Search Of... (Criss Cross), won him the Best New
Artist award in Italy in 1999, and had reviewers praising him for his original compositions and bold playing. That same year J.D. began touring and recording with drummer Cindy Blackman's Quartet, where he remains a member.

His second release, Pharoah's Children (Criss Cross), won him accolades
for its thoughtfulness, maturity, and adventurousness. One of Jazziz
Magazine's Critics Pics Top 10 Albums of the Year, the album was praised in the U.S. and Europe, along with leading musicians, such as Michael Brecker and Jeff "Tain" Watts.

Since making a strong impression in his early years in New York at venues
like Smalls, Village Gate, and Visiones, and serving an invaluable tenure
with Betty Carter, J.D. has come a long way, now fully possessed of his own
sound. J.D. has appeared on NPR's Jazz Perspectives, WNYC's Soundcheck,
WKCR's Musician's Show and is a member of the Romare Bearden Homecoming
Jazz All-Star Band.

J.D. currently performs regularly with his own trio.