NJ Assembly honors NJSO guests Geri Allen, Afro Blue

The New Jersey General Assembly has passed a pair of resolutions honoring New Jersey composer and jazz pianist Geri Allen and vocal ensemble Afro Blue. On the NJSO’s season-opening concerts this weekend, Sep 27–29, Allen gives the world premiere of her own NJSO commission; Afro Blue appears on Allen's work and sings spirituals between movements of Dvořák’s “New World” Symphony.

Of Allen, the Assembly notes:

Whereas Geri Allen is respected as a talented jazz piano player, composer, and educator, and she has produced many albums and has written numerous renowned compositions, such as For the Healing of the Nations, a tribute to the victims, survivors, and families of our national tragedy of September 11, 2001 ...

It is altogether proper and fitting for the members of this House to pause in their deliberations to commend artist Geri Allen and to praise her as a woman of strong character and exceptional determination ... this House hereby honors and salutes Geri Allen, pays tribute to her meritorious record of achievement and accomplishment as a musical artist, and extends sincere best wishes for a successful and entertaining Promise of the New World show.

Of Afro Blue:

[This] talented a cappella group has shared its gifts in collaboration with numerous other musical groups and solo performers, including with the National Symphony Orchestra POPS, with Bobby McFerrin during the 2011 DC Jazz Festival, and with Geri Allen for her For the Healing of the Nations, a tribute to the victims, survivors, and families of our national tragedy of September 11, 2001 ...An array of honors and awards bears witness to the outstanding musical achievements of Afro Blue and attests to the high regard in which the group is held ... this House hereby honors and salutes Afro Blue, pays tribute to the meritorious record of achievement and accomplishment of its members, and extends sincere best wishes for a successful and entertaining Promise of the New World show.

View the resolutions.