About Carl Allen

Carl Allen grew up on gospel, R&B, and funk, music but later turned to jazz after hearing a recording by the legendary saxophonist Benny Carter. With over 240 recordings to his credit, the gifted Milwaukee-born, New York/Kansas City based drummer, sideman, bandleader, entrepreneur, and educator, Carl Allen’s profound and propulsive percolations provided soulful and syncopated support for over four decades. Allen have performed or recorded with Freddie Hubbard, Michael Brecker, Dizzy Gillespie, Randy Brecker, Benny Golson, Christian McBride, Jennifer Holliday, J.J. Johnson, Rickie Lee Jones, Sammy Davis Jr., Branford Marsalis, Kenny Garrett, Lena Horne, Ruth Brown, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Bobby Hutcherson, Mike Stern, Nellie McKay, Terence Blanchard, Phil Woods, Benny Green, Cyrus Chestnut, Joe Henderson, Billy Childs and many others.

Carl Allen is the William D. and Mary Grant/Missouri Endowed Professor of Jazz Studies at UMKC Conservatory at the University of Missouri – Kansas City.

In May of 2012 Allen received an honorary doctorate from Snow College in Ephraim, Utah in Humane Letters. Carl served a 6 year tenure serving as the Artistic Director of Jazz Studies at The Juilliard School in New York City. Carl Allen’s multifaceted career provides the perfect template for what a modern musician should be. As Sid Gribetz of Jazz Times wrote, “more than just another fine drummer, Carl Allen has it all together as a bandleader, businessman, and producer, becoming a force in today’s jazz world.”

Carl’s endorsement credits include DW Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, Remo Drumheads, Vic Firth Sticks and mallets. Humes & Berg Cases, Prologix Pads, Zoom Corp., Earthworks Mics and Apogee Digital.”

Photo Credit: remoneuhaus.com