Today we’d like to introduce you to Rodney Allen Jr.
Rodney, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was exposed to music early in my life through my dad, Rodney Allen Sr., who is also a musician and educator. However, I did not discover my passion for jazz music until I was in eleventh grade.
There are many people in my life who nurtured my success as a musician. However; my sister, who is now a Doctor of Pharmacy, greatly influenced me to work hard for my purpose in life. I have always looked up to her as a role model because she was very studious in school and she would often tutor me. In high school, I noticed she was presented with many awards and scholarly opportunities. It then hit me that I needed to take my education seriously as well and focus on working toward my own purpose.
As a sixteen-year-old, I was not sure what career path to pursue. All I knew was that I loved music and creating it came easy to me. So, that is where I started. I began taking piano lessons and joined the drum-line at Butler High School.
During my tenth-grade year in high school, I studied piano, percussion, and music theory. I began noticing and analyzing music everywhere such as live performances, film scores, and random songs on the radio. Through observing professional jazz musicians, I became fascinated by their freedom and ability to improvise music on the spot and play whatever they heard. I then knew I wanted to pursue jazz music as my purpose. I recognized saxophone as a popular jazz instrument so I switched from percussion to saxophone in Butler High School’s band and I have been playing it ever since.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like all successful endeavors, I face challenges throughout my journey all the time. One challenge that I face often is breaking through my insecurities in order to perform at my highest potential.
I am naturally an introverted person so I tend to over-think and over-analyze situations. Sometimes, I compare myself to others as a less-experienced musician which makes me feel insecure and affects my performances. Those insecurities can be detrimental to anyone’s career especially for a musician and educator like myself. I often find myself in positions of leadership where I have to push myself out of my comfort zone to be successful.
Despite my experience and abilities, I discovered when I work consistently on my craft and over-prepare for opportunities; everything will fall into place and I will gradually overcome any insecurities.
Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a freelance musician and educator in Atlanta, GA. My primary instrument is alto saxophone but I am also proficient in other woodwinds, keyboards, and percussion instruments. Although I am versatile in performing many different styles of music, I specialize in jazz music.
My journey as a jazz musician so far has been rewarding. I obtained a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education from Clayton State University in 2015 and a Master of Music Degree in Jazz Studies from Georgia State University in 2017. My music organization involvement includes: Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity Inc. (Xi Eta Chapter at Morehouse College), The Jazz Education Network (JEN), and The National Association for Music Educators (NAfME). I serve and attend regular conferences and networking events through these organizations.
Ever since graduation, I have been able to support myself doing what I love which is music. I manage my own studio of private students teaching a wide range of instruments such as saxophone, piano, flute, clarinet, and percussion. I also teach methods of improvisation, music theory, jazz, classical, and pop styles. My other teaching involvement include teaching for music organizations such as The Atlanta Music Project, The Gift of Music Foundation, Fulton County Arts Centers, and Callanwolde Fine Arts Center.
As a performer in the Atlanta area, I remain active performing for a variety of events and venues. I also serve as pianist for Connect Church’s praise team in Decatur, GA and leader/pianist for “Soldiers 4 Christ” and “The Movement” at Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Atlanta, GA.
Some of the highlights in my performance career consists of performing with world-renowned jazz musicians such as Randy Brecker, Paquito D’Rivera, Kenny Werner, Ed Neumeister, Kathleen Bertrand, Ignacio Berroa, Wycliffe Gordon, and Norman Brown. I have performed in Solange Knowles’ band during the 2017 Afro-Punk Festival, the African-American Philharmonic Orchestra, the ATL Collective concert series, and the 2015 Phi Mu Alpha Convention in New Orleans.
Recently I recorded and have been performing shows with my fraternity brothers’ band “Gold Shades.” I am featured as a soloist on their new album. Outside of live musical performance, I have also played musician roles as an extra in the TV show “The Originals” and other upcoming HBO television series.
Currently, I am organizing a series of jazz masterclasses to present to the public in Fulton County. The mission of this project is to advocate the artistic and cultural significance of jazz music to youth in neighborhoods where jazz music is not often heard. I am proud to have this opportunity to serve the community and hopefully inspire others to develop an appreciation for jazz music themselves. This project is funded by Fulton County Arts and Culture.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment in my career actually happened early while in high school when I was recognized by my first jazz mentor, Ms. Puryear; then band director at Glenn Hills High School.
I met her for the first time when she auditioned me for the Richmond All-County Bands in Augusta, GA. During my audition, she said: “wow I can’t believe this is your first year playing the saxophone.” I told her I have been working hard and practicing a lot that year and the summer before.
That year, I was the only beginner student admitted into the ensemble. Also, I was the only student from Butler High School to perform in the Augusta State University Conservatory Jazz Band.
Her recognition motivated me to work hard towards my goals. She offered me free lessons and often invited me to sit-in with her bands. The last gig she invited me to was a jazz band performance at the Bell Auditorium in 2010 where I got a chance to solo and meet Grammy Award-winning guitarist Norman Brown. This experience made me realize hard work and dedication will present bigger and better opportunities in the future.
Contact Info:
- Email: rallenmusic11@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/rj_1898
- Facebook: Facebook.com/rodney.allen.714
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