Representative Albums: "World on a String," "Ride, Red, Ride in Hi-Fi," "Ride, Red, Ride"
Representative Songs: "It Should Be You," "Ride, Red, Ride," "St. James Infirmary"
Biography
One of the last great New Orleans trumpeters to emerge during the post-Louis Armstrong era, Henry "Red" Allen has long been overshadowed by Satch and his successors but actually had a fresh new approach of his own to offer. Allen sounded modern no matter what the setting and the rhythmic freedom he achieved made his solos consistently unpredictable and exciting. The son of Henry Allen, Sr. (a famous New Orleans brass band leader), he learned trumpet early on and played in his father's parade band along with other local groups. After working on the riverboats with Fate Marable and Fats Pichon the following year, Allen joined King Oliver in Chicago. He recorded in New York with Oliver and Clarence Williams, and then Red Allen joined Luis Russell's superb orchestra and began his own solo recording career. Signed by Victor as an alternative to Okeh's Louis Armstrong, Allen's solos were original and brilliant from the start (particularly "It Should Be You"); throughout the 1930s his trumpet and gruff vocals would be heard on dozens of recordings and, even when the material was indifferent, Allen was usually able to uplift the music. After notable stints with Luis Russell (1929-1932), Fletcher Henderson (1933-1934), and the Mills Blue Rhythm Band (1934-1937), Allen became part of Louis Armstrong's backup band for three years, secure but somewhat anonymous work. However, starting in 1940, Red Allen led a series of impressive combos that were Dixieland-based but also open to certain aspects of rhythm & blues. Trombonist J.C. Higginbotham (a lifelong friend) and altoist Dan Stovall were on many of his recordings. From 1954-1965, Allen's frequently riotous group played regularly at New York's Metropole (Coleman Hawkins was occasionally among his sidemen), he visited Europe several times (including in 1959 with Kid Ory's band), and Allen was one of the most memorable participants in the December 1957 CBS TV special The Sound of Jazz. Red Allen remained very active up until his death, and in the 1960s was proclaimed by Don Ellis as "the most creative and avant-garde trumpeter in New York." The European Classics label documents his recordings of the 1930s, and many (but not all) of his later performances are also available on CD. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Henry James "Red" Allen (January 7, 1906/1908; see talkpage – April 17, 1967) was a jazztrumpeter and vocalist whose style has been claimed to be the first to fully incorporate the innovations of Louis Armstrong.
Allen was playing professionally by 1924, with the Excelsior Brass Band and the jazz dance bands of Sam Morgan, George Lewis and John Casimir. After playing on riverboats on the Mississippi River, he went to New York City in 1927 to join King Oliver's band. Around this time he made recordings on the side in the band of Clarence Williams. After returning briefly to New Orleans where he worked with the bands of Fate Marable and Fats Pichon, he was offered a recording contract with Victor Records and returned to New York, where he also joined the Luis Russell band, which was fronted by Louis Armstrong in the late 1930s.
Allen continued making many recordings under his own name, as well as recording with Fats Waller and Jelly Roll Morton as well as accompanying vocalists including Victoria Spivey and Billie Holiday. After a short stint with Benny Goodman, Allen started leading his own band at The Famous Door in Manhattan. He then toured with his band around the USA into the late 1950s.
Death
Allen then returned to working under his own name making more tours of the USA and Europe until his death on April 17, 1967 in New York City.
Style and influence
Red Allen's trumpet style has been said by some critics to be the first to fully incorporate the innovations of Louis Armstrong and then go beyond Armstrong. Allen's recordings received much favorable attention. His versatility is shown by his winning of Down Beat awards in both the traditional jazz and the modern jazz categories. In 1959 Allen made his first tour of Europe when he joined Kid Ory's band.
Red Allen made a celebrated appearance on the legendary "Sound Of Jazz" television show on which he nearly stole the show; the program, filmed "live" in December 1957 is still considered the greatest jazz television program ever recorded. Only Billie Holiday's singing matched his performance on that historic program.[citation needed]
