Carl Allen

Carl Allen (drummer) was born in Milwaukee on April 25, 1961. He grew up on gospel, R&B, and funk, but later turned to jazz after hearing a record by saxophonist Benny Carter. Carl studied with drum instructor Roy Sneider and Milwaukee Tech High School band director Robert Siemele. His first hometown jazz gig was with sax greats Sonny Stitt and Red Holloway. Carl studied at the University of Wisconsin—Green Bay from 1979 to 1981, before transferring to William Paterson College in New Jersey, where he graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Studies and Performance. Carl’s older brother Eddie (“E.J.”), a trumpeter, also became a successful musician.

Allen joined famed trumpeter Freddie Hubbard a year before graduating, serving as his drummer and musical director for eight years. They recorded several albums together including Double Take (1985) and Life Flight (1987). Carl has performed and recorded with many of the greatest names in jazz, including Cyrus Chestnut, Art Farmer, Benny Golson, Benny Green, Vincent Herring, Christian McBride, Jackie McLean, and Woody Shaw. He has also recorded albums as a leader.

Education has always been part of Carl’s mission. Art Blakey taught him the importance of nurturing the next generation of musicians. Carl said, “Every generation needs someone to help them get to the next level and this is what I am hoping to do.” Carl serves as the Chair of Jazz Studies at the University of Missouri—Kansas City.

Allen maintains an exhaustive schedule of recording, touring, and teaching. As a bandleader, he performs with the Carl Allen Quartet as well as The Art of Elvin, a tribute band dedicated to his two drum influences, Art Blakey and Elvin Jones. In May of 2012, Allen received an honorary doctorate from Snow College in Ephraim, Utah.

Listen to Carl performing “Lotus Blossom” with trumpeters Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw, Mulgrew Miller on piano, and Cecil McBee on bass — from the album Double Take, recorded in November 1985. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tnxHTGYsKU

More information can be found at: https://carlallen.com/