Go to → JD Allen

The legacy of and audience for jazz culture relies on access to the music. The story of the music depends on who does the telling, how it’s told and who’s there to listen. Jazz’s lineage relies on education, equity and a community. JD Allen is an essential voice on jazz’s landscape for both his force and his restraint, as well as for the beauty of his tenor saxophone’s sound. Off the bandstand, Allen is a co-founder of We Insist!, a jazz and arts action community and their sister organization, We UP – Re UP. For this virtual edition of the “Jazz and Social Justice” series, Allen will lead his trio, with bassist Justin Dawson and drummer Charlie Schefft, through a hard-swinging performance. Following the music, in discussion with host Larry Blumenfeld, he and fellow musicians and activists will talk about equity, opportunity and outreach, and about how best to uphold jazz’s legacy.