“a highly engaging venture into the spirit of the riff, so to speak, without ever explicitly acknowledging the roots of that spirit in Bird’s solos…This recording is particularly satisfying, not only for the facility with which McAllister jumps through all of the hoops that Adams has created but also for the informed rhetorical context that Robertson establishes as conductor.”

Stephen Smoliar Stephen Smoliar, The Examiner (5/8/14)

“Timothy McAllister makes much more of the solo part in Creston’s Concerto for Alto Saxophone than its acrobatics would initially suggest: his attractive tone and cheeky virtuosity bring the music to life.”

Philip Scott FANFARE Magazine (March 2024)

“…Anemology pushes the boundaries of sounds normally associated with the saxophone…an intriguing way for McAllister to adapt his musical color and character, and he excelled at making the unusual techniques beautiful and expressive…McAllister soared through Mackey’s long, evocative melodies.”

Sara M.K. Neal Utah Arts Review

“John Adams’ new concerto has an appealing blend of bright colours and astringency. Saxophonist Timothy McAllister was the outstanding soloist, channelling Stan Getz in the smooth lyrical passages. In the relentless, bebop-like figurations - stunningly executed - it recalled the frenetic solos of Charlie Parker, Cannonball Adderley and John Coltrane”

Murray Black The Australian, Aug 2013

“Timothy McAllister is both an agile soloist, easily surmounting any technical hurdles, and an expressive, communicative musician able to plumb the depths or scale the heights of these contemporary composers’ inspirations. His fellow musicians are equally accomplished; these renditions are finely honed collaborations between talented peers.”

R. Schulslaper FANFARE Magazine

“a titan of contemporary music and the instrument in general”

Zachary Lewis The Plain Dealer, Cleveland (10/7/14)

“It was Higdon’s concerto that offered the most sublime musical moments on the program…her saxophone concerto is an extremely lyrical piece whose ideas are clear and free of musical meandering…The work was played with warmth and agility by saxophonist Timothy McAllister…In the realm of contemporary music, finding a jewel amid the programmed mix is a rare music moment. And this concert delivered it with Higdon’s concerto.”

Edward Ortiz The Sacramento Bee

James Lee III

A new concerto dedicated to Timothy McAllister for alto saxophone and orchestra from James Lee III is coming for the 25/26 season! ABIDING LEGACY pays tribute to the African-American astronaut/saxophonist Ron McNair and commemorates the 40th Anniversary of the Challenger tragedy in 2026. McAllister, a Houston Bay Area native and son of NASA-affiliated employees, was a beginning saxophonist at the time of the space shuttle disaster which left him forever inspired by McNair’s life and those of his peers who the world lost that fateful day.

The 24-minute work for full symphony orchestra is fully commissioned through a gift from the Gail Straith Fund at the University of Michigan and is available for first performances and recording. Contact Martha Woods (info below).

Abiding Legacy: Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra (2025) - 24’
I. Resilience
II. Remembered among the stars…
III. Resolute Dream
(Pub. Subito Music Publishing, ASCAP)

Booking Information

Martha Woods
President
Jonathan Wentworth Associates Ltd.
6118 40th Avenue
Hyattsville, Maryland 20782-3012