Geri Allen

Geri Allen (June 12, 1957 – June 27, 2017) was an American composer, educator, and jazz pianist. She was born in Pontiac, Michigan and raised in Detroit. 

Allen worked with many jazz musicians, including Ornette Coleman, Ron Carter, Tony Williams, Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette, and Charles Lloyd. She cited her primary influences to be her parents, Mount Vernell Allen Jr, and Barbara Jean Allen, and her primary musical influences to be mentors Marcus Belgrave, Donald Walden, and Betty Carter, as well as pianists Herbie Hancock, Mary Lou Williams, Hank Jones, Alice Coltrane, Cecil Taylor, Thelonious Monk, McCoy Tyner, Bud Powell, and mentor Dr. Billy Taylor. 

Allen was an Associate Professor of Music and the Director of the Jazz Studies Program at the University of Pittsburgh.

Allen died on June 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania after suffering from cancer at the age of 60.

References

Other websites
 Official Website
 Geri Allen at Motéma Music
 Geri Allen at All About Jazz
 Geri Allen at NPR Music
 Jazz Conversations with Eric Jackson: Geri Allen  from WGBH Radio Boston 
 Geri Allen at Rhapsody

Category:1957 births
Category:2017 deaths
Category:Cancer deaths in Pennsylvania
Category:American jazz musicians
Category:American blues musicians
Category:American funk musicians
Category:American gospel musicians
Category:American pianists
Category:Educators from Michigan
Category:People from Pontiac, Michigan
Category:Musicians from Michigan