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Alan Jay Palmer

Alan Jay Palmer or BAP ( Bad Alan Palmer) was born in Washington D.C. and attended the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Alan was exposed to Jazz piano through his first teacher John Malachi and listening to Thelonious Monk , Mingus, and John Coltrane recordings that a neighborhood friend had. At that time, Alan was beginning to play around D.C. with different Go Go bands and developing his Jazz ...chops at Lettumplay w/ Fred Foss, Webster Young and other D.C .Jazz Legends. After high school, Alan attended the famous African American Music Department at The University of Hartford now known as The Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz. While at the conservatory, Alan studied piano and orchestration from Jaki Byard and Hotep Galeta, and began his close mentorship with the master alto saxophonist/educator, Jackie McLean. Alan became Jackie's close disciple and assistant in Music History and Jazz Education. He was the first student ever entrusted to teach Jackie McLean's famous course "The Origin of Man and Music." During his senior year at Hartt Alan joined The Jackie McLean Quintet and toured Europe and Japan with the band. He also recorded his debut album with Jackie McLean on "Rhythm of the Earth" contributing four original compositions. A true dedicated musician, Currently Alan has now emerged as the leader of the BAP TRIO and THE NEW SOIL big bang and as a new composer in NYC. A talented actor, Alan recently performed in the Living Theatre's revival of Jack Gelber's play The Conection, also contributing new music. Alan has taught music to thousands of students and continues to conduct workshops and master-classes throughout the world. Here is what Jackie McLean said about BAP.

"Alan is a very talented composer, his songs are beautiful and original. His piano style is fresh yet you can hear his heroes Monk, Bud and Ellington whispering in his ear." Jackie McLean

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