NYC jazz bassist/composer on new Carla Bley tribute album
Exclusive video interview with FBPO’s Jon Liebman
August 29, 2022
Photo by Anna Yatskevich
Known for an approach that combines innovation with accessibility, Ben Allison has certainly found his own place in the jazz world. And while he’s rooted in traditional jazz, the Connecticut native isn’t shy about mixing elements from other genres he loves, like rock and folk, into his music. Though he’s known for touring far and wide with a number of small ensembles, Allison also has an eclectic history of collaboration with musicians like Lee Konitz, Ara Dinkjian, and Mamadou Diabate, as well as artists like tap dancer Gregory Hines and U.S. poet laureate Robert Pinsky. More broadly, Ben’s appeared on more than 50 albums and has composed music for movies, television, and radio, including the theme for National Public Radio’s On the Media program.
Beyond that, Allison is also an educator and artist advocate, who teaches at The New School’s College of Contemporary & Performing Arts and has served two terms as the board president for the New York chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. His latest release, with Easy Way Trio bandmates, guitarist Steve Cardenas and saxophonist Ted Nash, is a beautiful tribute to the music of Carla Bley, titled Healing Power.
Watch our interview with Ben!
See Jon’s blog, with key takeaways from this interview here.
Healing Power: The Music of Carla Bley, is available here:
