Lina Allemano is a Toronto jazz trumpeter, improviser and composer with an established career playing, recording and touring internationally. She is currently studying advanced technique with trumpet-guru Laurie Frink in New York City. As well as fronting her band Lina Allemano Four and the improvising group "N", she is also a member of Tim Posgate's Hornband, the Cluttertones, Paul Read Orchestra, and several other Toronto and New York creative bands. Lina appears on over 25 recordings including her own CDs Lina Allemano Four Pinkeye (2006) and Lina Allemano Four Concentric (2003).
Lina was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta and began playing professionally at the age of 15. She moved to Toronto in 1993 and has since had the opportunity to perform with many jazz greats including tuba-legend Howard Johnson, Don Byron, Dave Holland, Mike Murley, and Joe Lovano. She played alongside fellow trumpeter Ingrid Jensen in Dave Douglas' Festival of New Trumpet Music in New York City.
Lina was recently featured in DOWNBEAT Magazine as one of "25 Trumpeters for the Future: A New Generation of Trumpeters Pave the Way for Jazz's Next Innovations". She was winner of the National Jazz Awards' CBC Galaxie Rising Star, nominated for Canadian Independent Music Awards Favorite Jazz Artist, and nominated many years for National Jazz Awards Trumpeter of the Year.
Lina has received support from Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, and Yamaha Canada Music. Lina is a Yamaha Artist.
Press Quotes
"Lina Allemano is a subtle trumpeter who can forge compelling ideas, seriously appealing tones and extended lyrical journeys while moving between mainstream and outside modes."
The Toronto Star.
"Allemano's compositions are inviting and intimate"
Downbeat Magazine, USA.
"Imbued with style, Allemano shows no need to prove anything"
Cadence Magazine, USA.
"With oil and fire, trumpeter Lina Allemano can sting and soothe in one breathe"
Jazz Report.
"Allemano is a superbly lyrical trumpeter in a lineage that reaches back through Dave Douglas and Kenny Wheeler to Booker Little"
CODA Magazine.
"Lina Allemano's voice on the trumpet is a breath of fresh air. Her music is forward-thinking"
Georgia Straight, Vancouver.
Lina Allemano Four is a group known for their forward motion and inventiveness, and they are definitely not afraid of taking musical risks. These 4 creative musicians cross over from improvised music to jazz in their musical lives, and hence lend a fresh and free-spirited feel to their music, combined with a strong melodic concept and an inherent openness. A stimulating dynamic of interaction and spontaneity assures that the group's live performances are always lighthearted and full of surprises.
Lina Allemano Four's newest CD, Pinkeye, showcases the leader's quirky yet deeply lyrical songwriting style combined with the band's expressive flair and knack for the unexpected.
Past highlights include feature performances at Jazz Festivals across Canada, major tours across Canada, and recordings for CBC Radio and TVO. Lina Allemano Four has been nominated for the Canadian Independent Music Awards' Favorite Jazz Group and the National Jazz Awards Acoustic Group of the Year.
Alto saxophonist Brodie West spent the past year living in Europe, and has toured and recorded with Dutch master drummer Han Bennink. Bassist Andrew Downing won a Juno Award and the Grand Prix de Jazz for his group The Great Uncles of the Revolution. Drummer Nick Fraser co-leads the group Drumheller and is one of Toronto's most in-demand musicians.
Press Quotes
"Lina Allemano Four revels in interactive challenges and sophisticated tension... adventurous".
The Toronto Star
"Lina Allemano Four balance the infinite possibilities of free improvisation with the structure and discipline of playing over changes; it's a daring twist that works brilliantly".
The Globe and Mail
"Lina Allemano Four PINKEYE is in the TOP 10 Best Jazz CDs of 2006".
The Toronto Star
"N" is an experimental improvising group with a distinctive and unusual sound. This adventurous ensemble is at the same time dynamic and delicate, refreshing in its unabashed visceral candour. Each of the members is an inventive and creative improviser with a unique voice and depth of expression: Lina Allemano trumpet; Ryan Driver analog synth & other things; Rob Clutton double bass.
Ryan Driver is a multi-faceted musician who is an active member of many Toronto-based ensembles such as the Ryan Driver Quartet, the Silt, the Reveries, Deep Dark United, St. Dirt Elementary School, and others. Among the many instruments he plays are analog synth, piano, and thumb reeds, to name a few.
Rob Clutton, double bassist and composer, is very active in the creative and improvised music scenes in Toronto; he is involved with numerous projects including Drumheller, NOJO, Tim Posgate's Jazzstory, and also has several recordings with his own band. His solo bass CD, Dubious Pleasures, is on the Rat-Drifting label.
"N" has performed at numerous Improvised Music Series since 2005.