Geri Allen Has Died

[Kevin Bresnahan]

Drummer Ralph Peterson just posted on Facebook that pianist Geri Allen is "gravely ill".

For those of you with Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ralph.j.peterson?pnref=story

For those of you without Facebook this is Ralph's post:

Our thoughts hearts and prayers go out to my friend and Master pianist/composer/educator Geri Allen.....??????

Dear Friends,

We are very sad to announce that one of our most beloved and respected artists, Geri Allen, is gravely ill. Her family and her long-time manager Ora Harris have asked us to post this message and request that you please hold all communications with Ora and the family members until further notice. Please allow them their privacy at this sensitive time.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Geri and her family at this difficult time.

Motema Music

Edit: Sadly, Geri has died from cancer.

Edited June 27, 2017 by Kevin Bresnahan

[Rooster_Ties]

Goodness. I'm seeing she just turned 60 a couple weeks ago.

Thoughts and prayers.

[JSngry]

Same.

[JohnS]

Saddened by this.  Best wishes Geri.

[mjzee]

Get better soon, Geri.

[jlhoots]

I met Geri a couple of times. Lovely person & great piano player. My wife made a pie for her & her mother a few years ago.

Edited June 27, 2017 by jlhoots

[Guy Berger]

That sucks.  Hope she recovers quickly.

[clifford_thornton]

Damn, that is too bad. Great player.

[mikeweil]

Best wishes. Saw her perform in a trio setting a while ago, she was really good and inspired. 

[soulpope]

Get well soon, Gerri ....

[Hot Ptah]

Gravely ill usually means close to death, so I do not know that she is going to get well soon. This is very sad. Every time I heard her live, she was inspired.

[Kevin Bresnahan]

1 hour ago, Hot Ptah said:

Gravely ill usually means close to death, so I do not know that she is going to get well soon. This is very sad. Every time I heard her live, she was inspired.

With the addition of, "Please allow them their privacy at this sensitive time", I was thinking the same thing as you. I hope we're wrong with our interpretations and she pulls through.

I've seen Geri more times than I can remember and she was always wonderful at the keys. She is scheduled to perform at the Newport Jazz Festival August 5th in a trio with Terri Lynne Carrington & Esperanza Spalding.

Edited June 27, 2017 by Kevin Bresnahan

[disaac]

A super nice lady who's a hell of a piano player.  Enjoyed her in Wallace Roney's bands as well as in other settings.  Hoping that the next news I hear about her is good news....

[BFrank]

Very sad, for sure! 
I met her brother, Mount, a few years ago. He's the Dir of Operations at SFJAZZ and a very nice man.

[Cyril]

This is very sad news.... I really don't know what to say!!!

http://geriallen.com/

 

Edited June 27, 2017 by Cyril

[Hardbopjazz]

Wow. This is real sad news. Prayers are with her and her family. 

[clifford_thornton]

According to Nate Chinen she has passed.

[charlesp]

A wonderful person and artist with Big Ears - loved Mary Lou Williams and Ornette! 

[Cyril]

1 hour ago, clifford_thornton said:

According to Nate Chinen she has passed.

Yes, she has passed. R.I.P. Geri.

http://wbgo.org/post/geri-allen-brilliantly-expressive-pianist-composer-and-educator-dies-60#stream/0

 

[JSngry]

dammit

[Hardbopjazz]

WBGO is reporting she has past away. RIP Geri.

 

[danasgoodstuff]

Fine player, well loved by her peers, and by all accounts a fine person too.  Younger than I, so sad.

[Hardbopjazz]

http://wbgo.org/post/geri-allen-brilliantly-expressive-pianist-composer-and-educator-dies-60

 

[HutchFan]

Terrible, terrible news.

[medjuck]

Saw her with Wallace Roney  at a club here in Santa Barbara.  Thought they were both great and didn't realize they were married.    At my age she seems to young to have died.