Au, Allison
Ontario Arts, 2016, CD
Instrument: Saxophone
Issue: 22.3
Jazz Ruler Type: Bebop
Performance: 4
Sound: 3
Score: 
O’s Notes: Allison Au is a composer, saxophonist and band leader who we enjoyed on her first release The Sky Was Pale Blue, Then Grey (4/4) and her latest release, Forest Groove is even better. Au has an approachable style that is rich and warm. Her parents are Chinese and Jewish and she grew up in Toronto, a melting pot. That DNA and environment spills through in her music. Check out “Aureole” for a taste of it. Felicity Williams adds voice on three selections mirroring Au’s sax melodies notably on “The Clearing”. Allison in on a nice track not littering her releases with inconsequential filler. The content is strong and provocative, signs of a musician with staying power!
Publicist: Orange Grove