Ms. Allen was a deeply valued and much loved member of the Motéma family and the jazz community at large. Her singular creativity and astonishing pianistic expression exemplified all that we hope to stand for: unfettered creativity, undeniable authenticity, deep intelligence, natural beauty, fearless individuality, creative freedom, rich complexity, powerful simplicity, dedication to justice and freedom for all, and, most of all, an unfailing commitment to share, through music, the grace that connects us all.

She drew from the full spectrum of human experience to create her extraordinary compositions and improvisations. With a heart that was as big as her ears, she was an uncommonly supportive collaborator, a deeply nurturing educator, and a true champion of those who came before, of those with her on her journey and of those who will now carry the journey forward. Her place in the orchestra of our lives shall sorely be missed. Our hearts go out to her family, whom she cherished and lived for. We are grateful for the legacy of timeless music she has left us with and for her influence, which shall live on in so many wonderful musicians. We are also most honored to have had the enormous opportunity of supporting her musical expressions.