Allison Au

In this episode, saxophonist and composer Allison Au reflects on the winding path that brought her to a life in jazz—from childhood days pulling records off her father’s shelves in suburban Toronto, to private saxophone lessons that offered solace after stepping away from school band programs altogether. She speaks with Ernesto Cervini about how a single teacher, Maggie Thompson, sparked her love for the saxophone, and how imposter syndrome nearly kept her from pursuing music altogether. They explore the pivotal role Humber College played in her artistic rebirth, the community that shaped her sound, and the deep relationships within her long-standing quartet. Allison also shares the personal and global threads that shaped her award-winning Migrations project, and how collaboration—with string quartets, vocalists, and trusted bandmates—has become central to her creative process and her voice as an artist.