Geri Allen (June 12, 1957, June 27, 2017, Detroit Public Schools) was an American composer and educator. Allen collaborated with many jazz musicians including Ornette Coleman and Ron Carter, Tony Williams (Jack DeJohnette), Charles Lloyd, Jack DeJohnette, Jack DeJohnette, Jack DeJohnette, Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette, Charles Lloyd, and Tony Williams. Her parents were Mount Vernell Allen Jr. and Barbara Jean Allen. Her primary musical influences were Marcus Belgrave and Donald Walden. Her primary musical influences were mentors Betty Carter and mentor Bud Powell. Allen was Associate Professor of Music at the University of Pittsburgh and Director of the Jazz Studies Program. Allen was born in Pontiac (Michigan). Her early musical education was at Cass Technical High School, Detroit, and the Jazz Development Workshop. There she met Marcus Belgrave, a trumpeter and teacher. Allen received her bachelor’s in jazz studies at Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 1979. She studied with composer Thomas Kerr, as well as pianists Raymond Jackson, John Malachi, Fred Irby, Arthur Dawkins, Komla Amoaku, and Fred Irby. She moved to New York City after graduating, and studied with Kenny Barron, the pianist. Nathan Davis, jazz educator, urged Allen to attend the University of Pittsburgh. She earned a master’s in ethnomusicology. Allen returned to New York in 1982 and began touring with Mary Wilson, The Supremes, and other musicians. Allen was a charter member of the Black Rock Coalition, [2] and Brooklyn M-Base, which included saxophonists Steve Coleman and Gary Thomas as well as vocalist Cassandra Wilson. Allen was a part of several Coleman albums, including 1985’s Motherland Pulse. He also composed the song “The Glide Was in the Ride”, which is listed on the New Smithsonian Collection of Classic Jazz. She was also the original keyboard player of M-Base’s first band, the funk-oriented Steve Coleman u0026 Five Elements. Allen’s 1984 debut album, The Printmakers, as a leader, was recorded in Germany. It was the first album to be released on the newly established German label Minor Music. Frank Lowe and Joseph Jarman were her musical partners. She then toured with Oliver Lake, recording with him. In 1985, she released her first solo piano album, “Home Grown”, followed by an album and concert tour with Open on All Sides, which also featured Lloyd Story, Robin Eubanks, and Mino Cinelu. Allen’s last Minor Music recording, Twylight (released in 1989), featured vocals on two tracks, additional drummers, and her synthesizer. Tani Tabbal, the bassist, and Tani Tabbal, the drummer. Etudes was a collaborative trio effort by Charlie Haden, Paul Motian, and released in 1988. The trio released several recordings on various labels from 1988 to 1990. Allen was also part of Haden’s Liberation Music Orchestra Montreal concert in 1989. She was also the first to be awarded Soul Train’s Lady of Soul Award in 1995 for jazz album of twenty-one, with Tony Williams and Ron Carter. In addition, she was also the youngest recipient of the Danish Jazzpar Prize. Allen continued to push the boundaries of improvisation with Sound Museum (1996), an album recorded under Ornette Coleman. The Gathering was recorded in 1998. The Life of a Song was recorded by Jack DeJohnette and Dave Holland on bass. Allen was commissioned in 2006 to compose “For the Healing of the Nations”, a Sacred Jazz Suite For Voices. It was written as a tribute to the victims, survivors, and their families. Connaitre Miller, Howard University’s Afro-Blue Jazz Choir led the performance. Oliver Lake, Craig Harris and Jay Hoggard were also present. Sandra Turner-Barnes contributed the poetry. Allen participated in the documentary film Live Music, Community.
