Jazz Articles

John Allred: Focused

by Jack Bowers
May 1, 1999

John Allred, who has paid his dues in a number of settings from trad to swing and beyond, plays it “straight” all the way on Focused, and in so doing reveals himself to be one of the most accomplished mainstream Jazz trombonists you’ve never heard. When a trombonist as proficient as Don Sebesky says of Allred, ”[he] plays the way I always wanted to,” one has to bend an ear and listen closely to what’s going down. There are countless ...

John Allred: Focused

by Robert Spencer
October 1, 1998

The back of this disc carries a quote from Don Sebesky: “John Allred is a MONSTER! Very scary. I haven't been so impressed with a trombone player since Carl Fontana. John plays the way I always wanted to, but didn't have the chops. He can be in my band anytime."

Sebesky is right. Allred has the chops. He is a sharply precise, startlingly fleet trombonist (witness his cover of Sebesky's “Are We Having Fun Yet" and the Parkerian head of ...

John Allred: Focused

by Joel Roberts
October 1, 1998

On his first album for AppleJazz Records, trombonist John Allred serves notice that an important new jazz artist has arrived. The Florida-born musician has complete mastery of his instrument and chops that can compete with most any trombonist on the jazz scene today. He plays with a fluidity and finesse you don't normally hear on the trombone. Backed by a fine rhythm section of Kelly Sill on bass, Eddie Metz on drums, and the exceptional pianist Richard Drexler, Allred delivers ...