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Jen Allen

Jen Allen is a jazz pianist whose debut solo album “Pieces of Myself” was released in June 2011. The album features Dave Baron on bass, Lee Fish on drums, Kris Allen on alto, Josh Evans on trumpet and Andrew Renfroe on guitar.

In May 2011, Allen was chosen as one of only eight pianists from around the world to participate in the Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Workshop at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

Allen has played with many jazz greats including Nat Reeves, Jimmy Greene, Dezron Douglas, Charles Flores and Kris Allen. She has performed in venues throughout the world including the Winnipeg Jazz Festival, the Cambridge Festival of the Arts, the Greater Hartford Monday Night Jazz Series, and with many groups including Kendrick Oliver’s New Life Orchestra, the collaborative New Unity Quartet and other jazz and creative music ensembles.

Allen has taught at the Litchfield Jazz Camp, The Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, The University of Hartford, University of Connecticut Community School of the Arts Jazz Camp, and Trinity College.

A native of Foxboro, Massachusetts, Allen was originally a cellist who started playing jazz piano as a favor to her high school band director, and it was then that she found her true artistic voice. She received a Performing Arts scholarship to pursue her Bachelors in Music performance at the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at The Hartt School. As a student, Allen was able to study under Jackie McLean, Steve Davis, and Andy LaVerne.

Awards

In May 2011, Allen was one of eight pianists selected to take part in the Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Workshop at the Kennedy Center.


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Album Review

Jen Allen: Pieces Of Myself

Read "Pieces Of Myself" reviewed by Karl Ackermann


Jen Allen's debut as a leader, Pieces of Myself, is an eclectic collection of original compositions. Among the members of the pianist, composer and educator's sextet is her husband, saxophonist Kris Allen, and Thelonious Monk International Jazz Bass Competition finalist, Dave Baron. Allen, who studied cello prior to switching to jazz piano, draws on her broad musical experience to display her versatility as a composer and an arranger. The styles displayed on Pieces of Myself vary from funky to straight-ahead ...

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"It's (Pieces of Myself) a smart, elegant showcase for her skills as a pianist and composer featuring seven expressive originals and one fine standard, which resonate with an emotional, memoir-like inspiration." Hartford Courant
Primary Instrument

Piano

Willing to teach

Intermediate to advanced

Credentials/Background

This summer Allen joined the Senior Faculty at the Litchfield Jazz Camp. Allen also teaches at The University of Hartford (music history), Trinity College, The Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts. She has taught private lessons for over 12 years.

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Tessellations

Next Level
2020

buy

Sifting Grace

Next Level
2019

buy

Pieces Of Myself

Self Produced
2011

buy

Tessellations

From: Tessellations
By Jen Allen

Kurinji

From: Sifting Grace
By Jen Allen

Prickly Pear

From: Sifting Grace
By Jen Allen

Climbing Ivy

From: Sifting Grace
By Jen Allen

Easy Peasey

From: Sifting Grace
By Jen Allen

Begin Again

From: Sifting Grace
By Jen Allen

Sifting Grace

From: Sifting Grace
By Jen Allen

Blanket Statement

From: Sifting Grace
By Jen Allen

Sifting Grace

From: Sifting Grace
By Jen Allen

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