Alan Blackman

Pianist and composer Alan Blackman has been a mainstay in the Washington D.C. and Baltimore area for over 15 years. He has performed at Blues Alley, the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, and nearly all of the area’s Jazz Festivals, both as a freelancer and with his group the Blackman/Barke Quartet. This group was runner-up in the DCJazz.com international competition and the Takoma Park Jazz Brawl. Recent concerts have included Ferenc Nemeth, Margret Grebowicz, and Vardan Ovsepian.

Alan was awarded the eastern regional songwriting award by the Gospel Music Association and was selected to participate in the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program at the Kennedy Center in D.C. He released his first CD of original music, Shadowdance, in January 2000 and is currently working on his first jazz composition book, tentatively entitled, Changing Standards, which will be accompanied by an audio CD of his original arrangements.

Alan was awarded Maryland State Arts Grants in 2007 and 2009 for Musical Composition, and in 2010 for Musical Performance. His new CD, Turning Point with bassist Max Murray and drummer Frank Russo, and special guests Donny McCaslin and Margret Grebowicz was released in August 2010.

Alan has taught  jazz combos at Towson University as well accompanied the Jazz Vocal Master Class. He currently teaches Jazz Improv and private lessons and coaches the Jazz Ensemble at Howard Community College in Columbia, MD

http://www.alanblackmanmusic.com/