Primary Instrument: Trumpet
Trumpeter, composer, arranger, author...Eddie Allen is one of the more versatile musicians on the New York scene. He's called upon to play everything from jazz (big band as well as small ensembles) to R&B/Pop to latin to symphonic to Broadway, and everything in between.
He studied music, theory and arranging at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music in Milwaukee and the University of Wisconsin in Green Bay before moving to the east coast. He then attended the William Paterson University of New Jersey where he received a Bachelor of Music degree. Since his arrival on the New York scene he's worked with such jazz greats as; Art Blakey, Billy Harper, Randy Weston, Dizzy Gillespie, Henry Threadgill, Bobby Watson, Jon Faddis, Benny Carter, Panama Francis, Joe Henderson and Steve Turre.
He has recorded and performed with, as well as composed for: Louis Hayes, Lester Bowie, Jack McDuff, Etta Jones & Houston Person, Mongo Santamaria, Chico Freeman, Charli Persip, Vanessa Rubin and Muhal Richard Abrams.
He's performed in the orchestras of such Broadway hits as: Ain't Misbehavin', Black & Blue, Side Show, Jelly's Last Jam, Five Guys Named Mo' and Rollin' On the T.O.B.A.
As an author, he's written the instructional method book, “An Introduction To The Bb Concert Blues,” which is published by Charles Colin Publishing - N.Y.C.
He's currently leading a quartet, a quintet, a Latin/Brasilian project and a large ensemble which brings together acoustic and electric/electronic instruments. He also leads a big band which not only plays his compositions and arrangements, but also the music of such jazz greats as Jimmy Heath, Bobby Watson, Muhal Richard Abrams and Rufus Reid as they come to lead the band. Eddie Allen continues to work as a freelance musician and clinician.
“...Bracingly vivid trumpeter...” --Howard Mandel, The Village Voice
“A fullness replete with soft tone-edges and great leaping ability makes Allen interesting and worth a listen.” --Andy Bartlett, Cadence Magazine
“Allen's trumpet and flugelhorn playing is marked by a playful inventiveness underscored by a slightly husky, almost vocal, tone and use of such swing trumpet strategies as smears, growls and glisses.” --George Kanzler
“Allen displays wit, charm, and true soul amidst the bristling themes and exposes fine sensitivity in the more harmonious passages.” --Sid Gribetz-JazzTimes
“In the course of playing like himself, Eddie crackles like Hargrove, squeezes half-valved whinnies and bends like Marsalis, Blanchard or Bowie.” --Kevin Whitehead, CD Review Magazine
“...precise lines and his control of texture.” --Peter Watrous, The New York Times
Louis Hayes
"Nightfall" **; SteepleChase -SCCD-31285
"Blue Lou" **; SteepleChase - SCCD-31340
Charlie Persip & Superband II
"In Case You Missed It"; Soul Note Records - SN 1079
Chico Freeman
"You'll Know When You Get There" **;Black Saint Records - BS 120 128-1
Etta Jones
"At Last"; Muse Records - MCD 5511
Teddy Edwards
"Ladies Man"; HighNote Records - HCD 7067
Cyrus Chestnut
"Earth Stories"; Atlantic Records - 82876-2
Mongo Santamaria
"Brazilian Sunset" **; Candid Records - CCD 79703
"Mongo Returns" **; Milestone Records - MCD-9245-2
"Mambo Mongo" **; Chesky Records - CD-100 & CR-100
"Soy Yo" **; Concord/Picante Records - CJP-327
"Free Spirit" **; Tropical Buddah Records - TBLP-002
Vanessa Rubin
"Pastiche" **; RCA/Novus - Nov 63152-2
"Soul Eyes" **; RCA/Novus - Nov 63127-2
Houston Person
"All Soul"; HighNote Records - HCD 7146
"Thinking Of You", HighNote Records Inc. - HCD 7177
Vince Ector
"Renewal Of The Spirit". Jazz Maniacs/Mambo Maniacs Records 804865142
James Jabbo Ware's Me We & Them Orchestra
"Something Is Coming", Y'all Records 04
Jerome Harris
"Hidden In Plain View"; New World/Countercurrents - 80472-2
Nancie Banks Orchestra
"Waves Of Peace"; Consolidated Artists - CAP 902
The New York Composers Orchestra
"First Program In Standard Time"; New World/Countercurrents - 80418-2
Cold Sweat
"Cold Sweat Plays J.B."; JMT/Bamboo Records - JOOJ 20288
"4-Play" ** ; JMT Records - JMT CD 834-444-2
Lester Bowie's Brass Fantasy
"The Fire This Time" **; In & Out Records - IOR 7019-2
"My Way" **; DIW Records - DIW-8036
"Serious Fun" **; DIW Records - DIW -8035
The Art Ensemble Of Chicago & Lester Bowie's Brass Fantasy
"Live At The 6th Tokyo Music Joy "90" **; DIW Records - DIW0842E
Craig Harris & Tailgaters Tales
"Shelter"; JMT Records - JMT 870-008
"Blackout In The Square Root Of Soul"; JMT Records - JMT 880-015
Orquesta Alma Latina
"Futuro"; Guajiro Records - GLP 4015
Muhal Richard Abrams
"Song For All"; Black Saint Records - 120161-2
"Think All, Focus One"; Black Saint Records - 120141-2
"One Line, Two Views"; New World Records - 80469-2
Ebony Brass Quintet
"Brand New Bag" **; Mapleshade - 03032
Rob Reddy's Honor System
"Post-War Euphoria"; Songlines Recordings - SGL 1512-2
"Songs That You Can Trust"; Koch Jazz - KOC CD 7876
Bobby Previte"s Weather Clear, Track Fast
"Hue And Cry"; ENJA Records - ENJ-8064 2
Byron Morris & Unity
"Live! at the East Coast Jazz Festival"; By-Mor Music - BYM 002 CD
Vince Ector
Renewal Of The Spirit - JazzManiacs Records 804865142
Karen Bernod
"Some Othaness For U"; TBA6767
Rabih Abou-Khalil
"The Cactus of Knowledge"; Enja Records - ENJ-9401 2
Joe
"Platinum Christmas"
Olivia
"Olivia"; J Records - 80813-20001-2
Jimmy Cozier
"Jimmy Cozier", J Records - 80813-20004-2
Shades Of Harlem
The Musical Revue of the Harlem Renaissance, Original Cast Recording
NOTE: All recordings marked (**) = Eddie Allen contributed arrangements or original compositions.
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