Love Letters (The Ballad Sessions) JD Allen

• 1 You Are Too Beautiful 07:00
• 2 I Get Along Without You Very Well 05:16
• 3 Don't Go to Strangers 06:20
• 4 Where Are You? 05:22
• 5 My Buddy 05:04
• 6 I Love You 05:34
• 7 Stardust 05:10
• 8 Tell the Story 05:15
• Total Runtime 45:01

Info for Love Letters (The Ballad Sessions)

Tenor saxophonist JD Allen, well known for pushing the envelope with albums that mix electronics and advanced compositional techniques, takes a striking turn on 'Love Letters (The Ballad Sessions)'. This time, he sets aside the modernist experiments and heads straight for the heart with an album made up entirely of ballads from the Great American Songbook. It's an unexpected move from Allen, and it reveals a different side of his playing-warm, introspective, and deeply lyrical.

For this outing, he expands his usual chordless trio by bringing pianist Brandon McCune into the mix, joining longtime collaborators Ian Kenselaar on bass and Nic Cacioppo on drums. The addition of a piano brings a new layer of harmonic color, expanding the expressive range of the entire group while exploring the emotional possibilities within these classic standards.

A soulful, stripped-down take on timeless tunes, this album showcases the depth and honesty JD Allen is known for, as he invites his colleagues to slow down and express something personal-with clarity, restraint, and quiet power.

J.D.Allen, tenor saxophone
Brandon McCune, piano
Ian Kensler, double bass
Nick Cacioppo, drums

JD Allen
Hailed by the New York Times as "a tenor saxophonist with an enigmatic, elegant and hard-driving style," J.D. Allen is one of the most thoughtful jazz saxophonists on the scene today.

The Detroit natives apprenticeship has largely been in New York, where he has performed, recorded, and toured with legends Lester Bowie, George Cables, Betty Carter,Louis Hayes , Ron Carter, Jack DeJohnette, Frank Foster Big Band, Winard Harper, Butch Morris, David Murray, Wallace Roney, and contemporaries Cindy Blackman, Orrin Evans, Marcus Gilmore, Russell Gunn, and Me'shell N'degeocello, Dave Douglas among others.

J.D.'s debut album, In Search Of... (red records), won him the Best New Artist award in Italy in 1999, and had reviewers praising him for his original compositions and bold playing. That same year J.D. began touring and recording with drummer Cindy Blackman's Quartet, where he remains a member.

His second release, Pharoah's Children (Criss Cross), won him accolades for its thoughtfulness, maturity, and adventurousness. One of Jazziz Magazine's Critics Pics Top 10 Albums of the Year, the album was praised in the U.S. and Europe, along with leading musicians, such as Michael Brecker and Jeff "Tain" Watts.

Since making a strong impression in his early years in New York at venues like Smalls, Village Gate, and Visiones, and serving an invaluable tenure with Betty Carter, J.D. has come a long way, now fully possessed of his own sound. J.D. has appeared on NPR's Jazz Perspectives, WNYC's Soundcheck, WKCR's Musician's Show and is a member of the Romare Bearden Homecoming Jazz All-Star Band.

Booklet for Love Letters (The Ballad Sessions)