Saxophone

Saxophonist, composer and recording artist Kris Allen was born and raised in Connecticut. He began musical studies at an early age, but his desire to pursue a life in jazz was catalyzed by an apprenticeship with legendary alto saxophonist Jackie Mclean, first at Hartford’s Artists Collective and later at the Hartt School of Music in Mclean’s African American Music Degree Program.

Kris now plays at major jazz venues throughout the US and worldwide. His latest album, Beloved on the Truth Revolution Collective label, with his working quartet–tenor sax Frank Kozyra, bass Luques Curtis, and drums Jonathan Barber— “today’s saxophone dream team”(Jazziz)– was praised by DownBeat as “one of the better new releases to come out this year.”

Besides leading his own groups, Kris has had a long career as a sideman, working with Illinois Jacquet, Gerald Wilson, Andy Gonzales, Jimmy Greene, Helen Sung, Winard Harper, the Mingus Dynasty, Avery Sharpe, Andy Jaffe, Noah Baerman, Jen Allen, Gary Smulyan, Jazzmeia Horn, Rogerio Boccato, Kendrick Oliver’s New Life Orchestra, the Curtis Brothers and Mario Pavone, among others.

As a composer, Kris has been honored with awards and commissions and has collaborated with dancers, poets, and visual artists, as well as musicians from across genres.  He is also a founding member of the Jazz Samaritan Alliance. A dedicated educator, Kris is the Lyell B. Clay Artist-In-Residence in Jazz at Williams College. Previously he taught at Hartt, Trinity, Southern Connecticut State University and the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts.  He conducts clinics and master classes worldwide and has been a Teaching Artist for Litchfield Jazz Camp since 2001.

Kris is a Vandoren Artist and plays Vandoren mouthpieces, reeds and ligatures exclusively.

For more information please visit www.krisallenjazz.com