J.D. Allen - Grace (2013)

Far from new to the jazz world, JD Allen has been on the New York scene for more than a decade, lending his astute playing to a string of headline jazz names, from Betty Carter to Cindy Blackman. Joined here by pianist Eldar Djangirov, bassist Dezron Douglas and drummer Jonathan Barber, Allen's usually piano-less ensemble explores new territory with works that challenge preconceptions and expand the expressive potential of jazz composition.