Allard began playing the saxophone at the age of seven. Later on he also started playing clarinet and flute. His first study was classical in the city of Groningen, switching thereafter to study Jazz & Pop in Hilversum.In the early 90’s he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor and Master degree. 

As lead-alto and soloist he was a member of several European-Big bands like The Skymasters, The Beau Hunks, The Cor Bakker Band, and up until 2007 he was a member of the Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw. He is also one of the most requested soloists for studio gigs in The Netherlands.

In 1990 Allard won two prestigious Jazz prices, The Pall Mall Swing Award and the Denon Jazz Award. 

He made three solo-CD’s:  Together (1992) The Right Track (2005) and The Return of the Elephant (2008) (Nominated in 2008 for the Edison Jazz Award)

Allard switches easily between several styles in Jazz and Pop-music and uses all saxes. As a real multi-instrumentalist he also plays clarinet, bass-clarinet, flute and piccolo.

Since 2003 Allard is teaching Saxophone (Jazz & Pop) at the ArtEZ Conservatory in Enschede.

Allard Buwalda plays on Selmer Saxes.

More info on www.allardbuwalda.nl