West Stockbridge Jazz Series Presents KRIS ALLEN

Kris Allen is an American saxophonist, composer, educator and recording artist. He tours widely with the Triangle Offense Trio with Jonathan Barber and Matt Dwonszyk. He has also enjoyed a long career as a sought-after sideman, working in the groups of Illinois Jacquet, Gerald Wilson, Andy Gonzales, Jimmy Greene, Helen Sung, Winard Harper, Andy Laverne, the Mingus Dynasty, and many more. As a composer, Kris has been honored with numerous awards, commissions and residencies including a State of Connecticut Artist Fellowship and a Macdowell Artist Residency.  For this concert Kris will be accompanied by Matt Dwonszyk, bass and Richie Barshay on drums.

A dedicated educator, Kris is the Lyell B. Clay Artist-In-Residence in Jazz at Williams College, having previously held positions at the Hartt School, Trinity College, Southern Connecticut State University, and the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts. He has been a Teaching Artist for Litchfield Performing Arts since 2001 and conducted clinics and master classes at institutions throughout the U.S. and worldwide.

His latest release, June, is his third album for the Truth Revolution Recording Collective. Praised by Carlo Wolff in Downbeat Magazine (4.5 stars) for its “Subtlety, suppleness and sense of urgency,” this “diverse and impassioned album” features Allen’s quartet with special guests Jeremy Pelt, Chris Dingman, Shenel Johns and Michael Mayo.

Tickets ($35) can be reserved at weststockbridgehistory.org. There will be limited    seating — first come, first served. COVID protocols at the time, will be observed.