Geri Allen Has Died

[Clunky]

I'm still so shocked by this sad news . I've been playing her music all weekend. 

[Justin V]

This is hard to process.  Although I got to see her perform several times, most recently in November, I wish that I had seen her perform more when I had the chance.  I plan on exploring more of her work and revisiting the recordings of her that I already have.  Rest in peace, Ms. Allen, and thank you for the music.  

[Ted O'Reilly]

The Toronto bassist Steve Wallace has written a lovely tribute to Geri on his blog...

http://wallacebass.com/?p=5761

[JSngry]

Funeral Arrangements for Geri Allen:

Pianist, Composer, Educator, and Innovator

 

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?m=1101403778563&ca=4203141e-c7a3-4d03-999f-3bd8e44ec0e4

[Scott Dolan]

I'm always late to the party, but I'm currently lisening to Ms. Allen on Oliver Lake's Expandable Language. Though I was familiarwith her name, I'm fairly certain this is the first I've ever heard her play. What a monsterous talent! I definitely need to check out some of her albums as leader. 

[JSngry]

Don't forget Geri Allen, please.

[danasgoodstuff]

1 hour ago, JSngry said:

Don't forget Geri Allen, please.

Since BN is reissuing her album Twenty One on vinyl on 4/15, hopefully she won't be forgotten.  Best pianist of her generation?  If there is such a thing, it's her.

[felser]

2 hours ago, danasgoodstuff said:

Best pianist of her generation?  If there is such a thing, it's her.

Never thought about it, but you may well be right!

[Pim]

She was great.

[BFrank]

There was a VERY nice tribute to her at SFJAZZ in February:

TERRI LYNE CARRINGTON: GENIUS, GRACE AND FIRE: A TRIBUTE TO GERI ALLEN
W/ RAVI COLTRANE, DAVE HOLLAND, & JASON MORAN

The show was introduced by her brother, Mount, who is also an Exec with SFJAZZ

[Eric]

I would like to explore further, only have one CD by her, Maroons.  Suggestions for next steps?

[jazzbo]

There are many to recommend but of late I find the two Storyville and the Telarc releases to be more interesting than they were when I first encountered them. I recommend checking those out.

[JSngry]

One of her earlier ones.

[Mark Stryker]

2 hours ago, Eric said:

I would like to explore further, only have one CD by her, Maroons.  Suggestions for next steps?

Ten to Get you Started

The Printmakers

Etudes

Homegrown

Open on All Sides

Etudes (Paul Motion/Charlie Haden)

The Nurturer

Twenty One

The Gathering

Zodiac Suite Revisited

Flying Toward the Sound

 

[JSngry]

Are there any known unreleased recordings of either live performances or special projects that would bear making a noise about?

[Rooster_Ties]

It’s not of a sound quality worth releasing, but somewhere I have an audience recording (from a performance at some museum, iirc)… …of Geri and Wallace (just the two of them, as a duo) playing all or most of the entire Birth of the Cool album/songbook.  It’s VERY free at times too, very exploratory.  All the themes are referenced, but it’s anything but a conservative reading.

If only there was a good recording of that, it would be kind of revelatory.

Anyone else heard what I’m talking about?

Edited April 1, 2022 by Rooster_Ties

[Eric]

17 hours ago, JSngry said:

Are there any known unreleased recordings of either live performances or special projects that would bear making a noise about?

I did notice there is a new (2022) one - unreleased Village Vanguard tapes with Haden and Motion, I think.  One of those hard to find Japanese things.

22 hours ago, Mark Stryker said:

Ten to Get you Started

The Printmakers

Etudes

Homegrown

Open on All Sides

Etudes (Paul Motion/Charlie Haden)

The Nurturer

Twenty One

The Gathering

Zodiac Suite Revisited

Flying Toward the Sound

 

Awesome - thanks Mark!

[JSngry]

thanks, gonna look for that.

[kh1958]

Recently I realized that, in light of the various excellent and varied live music experiences that I recall, I didn't have enough Geri Allen recordings and have been trying to rectify that deficiency.

2000: Chico Freeman, Richard Davis, Geri Allen and Andrew Cyrille at Jazz Standard. I wish there were a recording of this group.

2002: At the Iridium, with a Wallace Roney led group that also included James Spaulding and Lennie White. I went twice over the course of a week. I recall Patrice Rushen was advertised as the pianist but it was in fact Geri Allen.

2007: Geri Allen Trio with tap dancer, at Jazz Improv Festival.

2015: David Murray/Geri Allen/Terri Lynne Carrington, at Winter Jazz Fest.

2016: Geri Allen Tribute to Erroll Garner, with Christian Sands, Russell Malone, Victor Lewis. New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. George Wein was in attendance.

Edited December 10, 2023 by kh1958

[Hardbopjazz]

On 12/10/2023 at 1:04 PM, kh1958 said:

Recently I realized that, in light of the various excellent and varied live music experiences that I recall, I didn't have enough Geri Allen recordings and have been trying to rectify that deficiency.

2000: Chico Freeman, Richard Davis, Geri Allen and Andrew Cyrille at Jazz Standard. I wish there were a recording of this group.

2002: At the Iridium, with a Wallace Roney led group that also included James Spaulding and Lennie White. I went twice over the course of a week. I recall Patrice Rushen was advertised as the pianist but it was in fact Geri Allen.

2007: Geri Allen Trio with tap dancer, at Jazz Improv Festival.

2015: David Murray/Geri Allen/Terri Lynne Carrington, at Winter Jazz Fest.

2016: Geri Allen Tribute to Erroll Garner, with Christian Sands, Russell Malone, Victor Lewis. New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. George Wein was in attendance.

You can find some more recordings here on my Facebook group.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/327260927975997/?multi_permalinks=1329195701115843&notif_id=1704124014860813&notif_t=feedback_reaction_generic&ref=notif

[danasgoodstuff]

I've been listening to this solo tribute to Detroit a lot, need to find a hard copy.  Also her Three Pianos for Jimi with the Batson Bros,