Jazz Articles about Aimée Allen

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Anthony Branker: Manifestations of a Diasporic Groove & Spirit

by Dan McClenaghan
March 10, 2026

At the time of this writing (early 2026), the United States is beset by an odious president, a racist sociopath who seems hellbent on erasing all references to achievement or success of anyone of African descent--leaving aside that we are all of African descent; but some made the relocation to North America involuntarily. Stubborn resistance and unvarnished artistic statement--shoulders pulled back, chins jutting forward--are tools to fight the evil fool(s), and Anthony Branker does his part. Uppity (2013), ...

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Fahir Atakoglu: For Love

by Edward Blanco
November 24, 2020

Veteran international recording artist Fahir Atakoglu delivers his eighteenth album as leader with the audacious For Love, an album which he proclaims: “ ... Is all about love." And he believes “Everything depends on love." A native of Turkey, this Turkish-American artist is an award-winning composer and pianist whose long and distinguished career has included writing for television, films and documentaries. This exceptional recording was purposely designed with a foreign flavor in mind, revealing a varied repertoire that blends musical ...

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Aimee Allen: Wings Uncaged

by Geannine Reid
November 2, 2018

Vocalist Aimée Allen arrived on the scene in 2006 with Dream (Azuline Music). She then digitally released L'Inexplicable (Azuline, 2007) followed by Winters and Mays (Azuline, 2011) and Matter of Time (Azuline, 2015). With Wings Uncaged Allen's socially observant style reaches a new maturity. The standard “Invitation" is given a refreshingly modern arrangement. François Moutin's warm bass sonorities create a novel setting for the well-known melody. Allen's diction is clear and her rhythmic delivery precise. She takes her ...

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Aimee Allen: Matter of Time

by C. Michael Bailey
November 3, 2015

Aimee Allen's previous recording, her junior release, Winters & Mays. (Azuline Music, 2011) was a well-conceived offering from this Pittsburgh native. On Matter of Time, Allen brings her uncanny feel for jazz conception. The disc is slightly schizophrenic, with two competing centers of gravity: one in the jazz mainstream ("My Romance," “Out of Nowhere") and the Brazilian ("Matter of Time," “The Island"). For the latter, guitarist Romero Lubambo, provides all of the necessary humidity. On the Bossa ...

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Aimee Allen: Matter of Time

by Geannine Reid
June 10, 2015

Aimée Allen has a wonderful ear for beauty; fluent in two romantic languages, French and Portuguese, Allen's warm timbered voice also is fluent in conveying passionate phrases that seem to be wholly heart felt. Matter of Time (Azuline Music) is her latest musical offering that contains highly original music and lyrics penned by Allen dealing with subjects of love and the many changes that life brings to each of us. Allen also has a collection of renewed arrangements on familiar ...

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Aimee Allen: Winters & Mays

by C. Michael Bailey
July 10, 2011

Vocalist/composer/arranger Aimée Allen exists as a whole, self-sustaining entity. Her round, sensuous alto has only smooth edges with a caress of warm linen. Her songwriting (and that which she does with brother David Allen) is top-notch, fully formed and in abundance on Winters & Mays. But it is her singing that is exceptional, particularly on the standards mash-up “Bye Bye Blackbird/It Could Happen to You." Accompanied only by guitarist Pete McCann and bassist Craig Akin, Allen begins ...

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Aimee Allen: Dream

by Michael P. Gladstone
August 31, 2006

Aimee Allen's debut album provides a generous helping of eleven tunes from the Great American Songbook. The artist, who possesses a bright voice with a good range, takes the opportunity to mix in some bossa nova, as well as the French lyric for “Autumn Leaves," including the rarely heard verse.

While still a student at Yale University, Allen took an active interest in performing with two a cappella groups which specialized in a jazz repetoire. After her graduation, ...