|
|
portrait
biography
Allen Won is a musician who has embraced a diverse career. A graduate of the Mannes College of Music (NYC), Allen trained under saxophonist Harvey Pittel and the legendary Joe Allard. While in college Allen made the most of his evenings involving himself in as many opportunities to sit in at jam sessions around NYC.
Allen’s eclectic performance itinerary has encompassed playing with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, many of the orchestras in and around New York including the New York Philharmonic, the New York City Ballet, the City Opera, The New Jersey Philharmonic and various jazz and experimental groups (including Mario Pavone, Barbara Sfraga, Mala Waldron, Steve Bernstein). Among the many venues he has performed in a few are CBGB’s, the Blue Note in NYC and in Japan, the Knitting Factory in NYC, the Caramoor Festival in Katonah, NY, Carnegie Hall, NYC, the 92nd Street Y, NYC, Jacob’s Pillow in Massachusetts, Stamford College Palo Alto, CA, the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and also several Broadway shows.
He has recorded along with Kenny Garrett, Thomas Chapin, John Hollenbeck, Theo Bleckmann, Jerome Kitzke, Benny Rietveld and Tiger Okoshi. The “Jewel in the Lotus” is his first solo recording featuring his own compositions. Allen is based in New York.
reviews
"The strong individuality
of the instrumentalists - particularly Allen Won's wide ranging
saxophone - produces a shifting kaleidoscope of musical colors
that turns each piece into a multifaceted cameo."
-
The New York Times
"A
super sax player named Allen Won drifts about the stage like
an amiable Pied Piper."
- The Kansas City Star
"Music critics
have described Won as 'dazzling and wide ranging.' He has performed
with orchestras and jazz ensembles. This order of versatility
makes me want to call him the Wynton Marsalis of the saxophone."
-
Robert Kogan, Conductor, The Staten Island Orchestra
"Audiences react
to his performances with enthusiasm."
- Weekly Vista
"Won's winds sinuous silver threads of
sound up and down his sax, making it clarinet, flute and jazz
siren by turns and was exceptional in everything he played."
- Staten Island Advance
"Won's fills and solos in
flute and soprano and alto saxes provide added touches of spontaneity
and depth."
- RCC Cultural Arts Center
"Allen Won's baritone saxophone playing
has a special eloquence."
- The New York Times
|
|
discography
The Allen Won Quartet
The Jewel in the Lotus
Galt McDermott
and New Pulse Band
El
Nino
Napua Davoy
Until We Meet Again
Kiyoto Fujiwara
Live at Sweet Basil, NYC
Pam Fleming
Fearless Dreamer
The Outtakes
Genuine Article
|
|
