Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

June 12, 1957 in Pontiac, MI

Death

:

June 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, PA

 

Geri Allen was a highly acclaimed jazz pianist, composer, and educator who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on June 12, 1957, in Pontiac, Michigan, Allen grew up in a musical family and began playing the piano at a young age. Her father, Mount Vernell Allen Jr., was a jazz bassist, and her mother, Barbara Jean Allen, was a gospel singer. Allen's parents encouraged her to pursue music, and she began taking piano lessons at the age of seven. Allen's early musical influences included jazz pianists Thelonious Monk, McCoy Tyner, and Herbie Hancock. She also studied classical music and was particularly drawn to the works of composers such as Bach, Beethoven, and Chopin. Allen attended Cass Technical High School in Detroit, where she studied with renowned jazz pianist Marcus Belgrave. She went on to study at Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in jazz studies. After graduating from Howard, Allen moved to New York City to pursue a career in music. She quickly established herself as a talented pianist and composer, and began performing with some of the biggest names in jazz, including saxophonist Oliver Lake, trumpeter Lester Bowie, and drummer Jack DeJohnette. In 1984, Allen released her debut album, The Printmakers, which featured her original compositions and received critical acclaim. Throughout her career, Allen continued to push the boundaries of jazz and classical music, incorporating elements of both genres into her compositions and performances. She was known for her virtuosic piano playing, her innovative use of technology, and her ability to blend different musical styles seamlessly. Allen released over 20 albums during her career, including The Gathering, which was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1998. In addition to her work as a performer and composer, Allen was also a dedicated educator. She taught at the University of Michigan, the New England Conservatory of Music, and the University of Pittsburgh, where she served as the director of the Jazz Studies program. Allen was passionate about mentoring young musicians and encouraging them to explore their own unique musical voices. Allen received numerous awards and honors throughout her career, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Doris Duke Artist Award, and a Jazz Masters Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. She was also inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2018. Sadly, Allen passed away on June 27, 2017, at the age of 60. Her death was a great loss to the world of music, but her legacy lives on through her recordings, her compositions, and the countless musicians she inspired and mentored throughout her career. Allen's contributions to the world of classical music will continue to be celebrated and remembered for years to come.

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