Rhode Island’s Harry Allen is considered one of America’s finest tenor saxophone players. Although he was born in Washington D.C., he grew up in Rhode Island, where he became an All-State Baseball player.
His father, Maurice, was a big band drummer who taught his son the American Songbook and the secrets of the entertainment world. Harry played at most of the local jazz spots in the Ocean State before heading to college in New Jersey. He graduated from Rutgers University in 1988.
Being close to New York, he kept busy with gigs all around greater New York City, working with many of the Big Apple’s top jazz performers. Among the list were Bucky and John Pizzareli, Don Caymmai, Keith Ingham and John Colianni.
Young Harry wanted to emulate many of the great tenor saxophone players, including Providence’s own Scott Hamilton, Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, Flip Phillips, Sam Donahue and Paul Gonsalves.
Today, being the veteran that he has become, he travels the world, playing his own style and capturing a large fan base. When he plays nearby, it is a tough ticket to buy. So, keep your eyes open for Harry Allen when he comes our way.
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