Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Carl Allen was born on April 25, 1961 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and grew up on gospel, R&B, and funk, but later turned to jazz after hearing a record by saxophonist Benny Carter. While in high school he studied drums with Roy Sneider and his band director Robert Siemele.

His first hometown gigs were with Sonny Stitt and James Moody prior to attending the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay for two years, then graduating from William Patterson College. Allen joined trumpeter Freddie Hubbard a year before his graduation, serving as his Musical Director for eight years, and recorded several recordings.

With over 150 sessions to his credit Carl has worked with a wide variety of musicians including Jackie McLean, George Coleman, Christian McBride, Benny Green, Michael Brecker, Sammy Davis Jr., Jennifer Holiday, J. J. Johnson, Branford Marsalis, Donald Harrison, Kenny Garrett, Lena Horne, Ruth Brown, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Bobby Hutcherson, Terence Blanchard, Phil Woods, Benny Green, Cyrus Chestnut, Joe Henderson, Billy Childs, Rodney Whitaker and many others.

Carl Allen, drummer, sideman, bandleader, entrepreneur, producer and educator has a profound and propulsive percolation that provides soulful and syncopated support. One of the jazz world’s in-demand drummers, he currently serves on the faculty of The Julliard School as Artisan Directum of Jazz Studies.

Jazz Is Global – Share

More Posts: drums