J. D. Allen Performs Live at J&R
May 24 on Saturday Afternoon Jazz

Tenor Saxophonist performs music from his new release I AM - I AM.

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, Louis Hayes, Jack DeJohnette, Frank Foster Big Band, Winard Harper, Butch Morris, David Murray, Wallace Roney, and contemporaries Cindy Blackman, Orrin Evans, Meshell Ndegeocello, Dave Douglas and Nigel Kennedy, among others. J.D.'s debut album, IN SEARCH OF... (Criss Cross, 1999), won him the Best New Artist award in Italy, 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, 2002), 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 and WKCR's Musician's Show.

J.D.'s most recent recording as a leader, I AM - I AM features Gregg August and Rudy Royston and was released on Sunnyside Records last month. Join us live at J&R Music World on Saturday, May 24 at 4 PM.

Free and open to the general public.

Visit J.D. Allen on MySpace