Terri Lyne Carrington: Genius, Grace and Fire: A Tribute to Geri Allen

When Geri Allen, the pianist and composer, died in 2017 at age 60, her loss was keenly felt throughout the jazz world. She “was one of the first people who made me feel like it wasn’t awkward or weird that women played jazz,” says drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, who was 12 when she first performed with Allen. “We were like sisters; she would call me ‘sis.’”

Now Carrington pays tribute to Allen by performing her friend’s music with a formidable band. It includes pianist Jason Moran and saxophonist Ravi Coltrane, who were both mentored by Allen. They feel strongly connected to her music, as does the great bassist Dave Holland, who played and recorded with Allen.

Like Miles Davis and Wayne Shorter, Allen moved through phases. She played with Ornette Coleman and Shorter. She played straight-ahead, fusion, and avant-garde. Whatever the situation, she remained Geri Allen, a musician with an unmistakable fingerprint. “People in the jazz community should see what a treasure she is,” Carrington says. “I say is and not was, because her music is still current and her legacy, her genius, is important to jazz.”