Carl Allen

Hello Everybody. I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday. For those who know me know that I love Christmas (although I am not a fan of snow). Now that we’re into the new year it’s time to gear up for some exciting things. Chantale Gagne, a wonderful pianist will lead a group on January 11th in New York City at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola and I am thrilled that she call me to play with her. This will be a fun gig so come on out. Michael LeDonne, a wonderful pianist and organist has a wonderful non-profit organization called Disability Pride and there will be a wonderful benefit for them on January 14th in New York. There will be many great musicians there like Benny Golson (whose band we play in together), Money Alexander, Bob Cranshaw, Ron Carter, Harold Mabern, Buster Williams, Kenny Washington and many others will be there. Please come and bring your checkbook to donate. They are doing some amazing things.

For the first few months of the year I will be doing a wonderful tour called The Mack Avenue Super Band with Christian McBride, Christian Sands, Gary Burton, Tia Fuller and Sean Jones. This will be a lot of fun so please check my tour dates and if we’re in your area please come out to hear us. Just prior to this tour I will be doing The Jazz Cruise with The Christian McBride Trio with Peter Martin with guest Ms. Dianne Reeves. This will be amazing. Six days of great music, hanging and listening to many friends and incredible musicians. Lots of laughs and swing will be had by all.

I have received many inquires about my group, The Art of Elvin. I am thrilled to announce that we will perform on February 27th at The University of Louisville as part of their jazz festival. I will have with me Freddie Hendrix, Tivon Pennicott, Eric Reed and Yasushi Nakamura, I can’t wait. We will also play in New York in March.

Please visit my site regularly as there will be more exciting things that I will be sharing with you all. I do hope to see you all soon.

I pray that you all will have a safe, healthy, peaceful, prosperous and joy filled 2016. Spread and it will come back to you.

For more information feel free to email me at carl@carlallen.com.

Love and Swing,
Carl Allen

Carl Allen ....

As we’re going through a cold freeze across the East Coast there are some very heartwarming things happening. I just finished some wonderful workshops and concerts with some very talented and engaging students at The University of Wisconsin- Green Bay, Roosevelt University in Chicago and Emory University in Atlanta. Whenever I visit schools and work with young musicians I am inspired knowing that the future of jazz is in capable hands. Also I appreciate very much the work that the faculty and instructors are doing to continue to mentor the students. More to come on that…..

I am thrilled to announce that I will be performing in New York City in March (27th thru 29th) at Smoke Jazz Club  my band, “The Art of Elvin”. This is a group that I started a few years to pay tribute to Art Blakey and Elvin Jones. The band consisted of Freddie Hendrix (trumpet), Keith Loftis (tenor sax), Eric Reed (piano), Yasushi Nakamura (bass) and yours truly.

Many of you don’t know that in my rare spare time I like to watch the television show Scandal (I rarely watch TV). On a recent episode they said “we stand in the light” I loved that. Stand in the light you all. Keep loving, love trumps hatred and ignorance.

For more information on bookings please contact my personal assistant, Ms. Rebecca Locke at carlalleninfo@gmail.com. For general questions feel free to email me at carl@carlallen.com.

Take great care of yourself. Love you all…..

Carl Allen / Rodney Whitaker Project to Perform Music from Their Mack Avenue CD "WORK TO DO"

"Work to Do features reworked pop-classics and originals that range from achingly beautiful tunes to those possessing an energized post-bop feel." - All About Jazz

"On Work To Do, rhythm section par excellence Carl Allen and Rodney Whitaker tap into their roots and offer an engaging and user-friendly repertoire that includes standards, pop classics, soul music, gospel influences, and post-bop originals...crafting music that keeps listeners tapping their toes, snapping their fingers and generally having a good time." - Audiophile Audition

They've created a 21st century version of soul-jazz." - Detroit Free Press

When longtime rhythm section partners Carl Allen (drums) and Rodney Whitaker (bass) recorded their 2007 Mack Avenue debut, Get Ready, they wanted their past to inform their present. Culling themes from classic R&B, soul jazz, pop and straight ahead styles, Allen and Whitaker created music that found a wide audience who praised the duo for "taking them back home." With their new release Work To Do, this estimable Detroit/Milwaukee born and bred rhythm connection - a true rhythm convention - knew they had to let the good times continue to roll.

The Carl Allen/Rodney Whitaker Project--featuring Eric Reed (piano), Rodney Jones (guitar), Tim Green (alto saxophone)--are set to perform at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, Tuesday, November 9 through Sunday, November 14. Set times are 7:30pm & 9:30pm, plus 11:30pm set on Friday and Saturday.