Jazz Saxophone
Dr. Ricardo “Rico” Allen II is an emerging performer and educator from Dallas, Texas. Through his passion for music education, he aims to foster the next generation of young musicians.
As an active performer, Rico has performed at various venues across the United States and Europe. In 2014, Rico traveled to New York City and performed at Carnegie Hall with the Tarleton State University Wind Symphony. In 2017, Rico was the baritone saxophone soloist for David Maslanka’s Hell’s Gate. Rico was selected to perform with both the World Adult Wind Orchestra Project and World Youth Wind Orchestra Project in Schladming, Austria from 2018-2023 where he has served as principal soprano/alto saxophone. Rico was the baritone saxophone soloist for the European premiere of Frank Ticheli’s Acadiana. In 2023, Rico was selected along with the UNT Saxophone Ensemble to perform at the XIX World Saxophone Congress in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
Rico is currently on faculty at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music as Adjunct Instructor where he teaches General Music courses such as Jazz Appreciation, What’s Hot in Popular Music, and Hip Hop History and Culture. He also serves as Adjunct Saxophone Instructor at Tarleton State University and the University of Texas at Tyler where he also teaches Fine Arts Appreciation and conducts Jazz Ensemble II.
Rico has studied under Claude Parker, Greg Ball, Dr. Andrew Stonerock, Dr. James Bunte, Rick Vanmatre, Craig Bailey, and Dr. Eric Nestler. Rico’s professional affiliations are Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, North American Saxophone Alliance, Jazz Educators Network, and the Texas Music Educators Association.
More information can be found at www.ricoallen.com