Christian McBride is “Tippin’’ on New Carl Allen Album
Our resident legend in Montclair, bassist-composer-educator-arranger-producer-humanitarian-bandleader Christian McBride, fresh off his appearance in The Jersey Sound documentary, has shown up on the new Tippin’ by Carl Allen. Due out this Friday, drummer Allen hasn’t had an album out under his own name in two decades. He’s been too busy brightening up the projects of others, including McBride’s. Now Christian repays the favor, one-third of what Allen describes as his “dream team.” Multi- talented horn man Chris Potter rounds out the trio on this 12-track doozy of adventurous, creative, all-consuming post-bop.
Originally from Milwaukee, Allen is deeply entrenched in the New York City jazz scene. He’s drummed on over 200 recordings in nearly 30 years. He’s still in McBride’s Inside Straight band and he also keeps the beat and more for Philadelphia sax man Benny Golson, as well as The Carl Allen Quartet. He also keeps the spirit of Coltrane’s drummer, Elvin Jones, alive via his The Art Of Elvin band. With Art Blakey as his main influence, he’s traversed the bop back roads in his own stunning and individualistic way. Tippin’ is an easy pick for the first great jazz album of 2025.
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