Allen, JD
Savant, 2022, CD
Instrument: Saxophone
Issue: 28.4
Jazz Ruler Type: Bebop
Performance: 4
Sound: 3
Score: 77
O’s Notes: JD follows up his solo outing with a small ensemble including guitarist Charlie Hunter, bassist Gregg August and drummer Rudy Royston. Fleshed out with a supporting cast, Allen’s sax tones are even more appreciable. His inspirations are the struggles experienced during The Great Migration of African-Americans from south to north. This could easily be reflective of today’s see-saw progress of African Americans over the last 50 years. There’s a country, blues swagger on ”The Battle of Blair Mountain” contrasted with urban blues on the opener “Up South”. Those are two examples of passionate music on Americana, Vol. 2.
Publicist: Jazz Depot