CARL ALLEN

Growing up in a musically inclined family, Carl Allen's drumming career began at the age of three when he would misuse his mother’s kitchenware for his forays into percussion experimentation. Little Carl grew up listening to R&B, funk, and gospel. He developed a taste for jazz once he heard an LP featuring saxophone legend Benny Carter, and he began taking drum lessons at the age of eight with Roy Sneider. This is where he first received formal instruction in the art of jazz drumming. Carl became the drummer for his elementary school—and then his high school—band.

At the tender age of sixteen, Carl played his first professional live gig for saxophonist Sonny Stitt. His talent earned him a scholarship to the University of Wisconsin, where he studied classical percussion. While there, he was referred to audition for the legendary Count Basie Band. Allen did not feel like he was up to the task quite yet and declined the offer. He pressed on, eager to earn his chops, and transferred to William Patterson College in New Jersey. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Studies and performance.

In 1982, a year before his graduation, Allen became the drummer for trumpeter Freddie Hubbard's band. He recorded numerous albums with Hubbard, who became Carl’s musical director and road manager for the next eight years. During those years, Carl was both leader and sideman for a multitude of artists. Currently, he leads the following groups: New Spirit, Carl Allen & The Art of Elvin, and The Carl Allen-Rodney Whitaker Project.

Allen co-founded Big Apple Productions in 1988 with saxophonist Vincent Herring. He takes an extreme hands-on approach—working with the artists from the very start of the writing process all the way until the last note is recorded in the studio. His reasoning is that, "…often, you see the producer for the first time in the studio and then they want to make suggestions about the music. My thing is, 'Where were you when the music was being developed?'"

Big Apple Productions develops new talent and produces music primarily for Japanese jazz labels. Despite the apparent niche market, Carl has earned worldwide recognition as a producer. Carl Allen has grown to be one of the most respected jazz drummers of his generation. His philosophy is simple: don't get in the way of the music and play what feels good.