Fathers who are serious about their sons becoming athletes should start developing their children’s skills as early as possible. Harry Allen’s father was a big-band drummer and played jazz records every day for Harry until he started kindergarten. After beginning lessons in accordion, he switched to saxophone. Allen attended Rutgers University and studied saxophone under Bob Mintzer, Sahib Shihab, and John Purcell. He graduated from Rutgers in 1989 with a degree as a jazz tenor player saxophone. Allen was a student at Rutgers and received his first gig as a bass player with Major Holley. He replaced Zoot Sims in a studio recording session with John Bunch (George Masso), Bucky Pizzarelli, Ruby Braff, and Bucky Pizzarelli. Dizzy Gillespie stopped by during the session. It was a very exciting experience for a young tenor playing his first recording. Allen was also introduced to Oliver Jackson by Wholley, whom Allen later accompanied on numerous European tours. Allen’s first recording date was a 1986 session with Kenny Barron. Allen recorded 19 more recordings for labels like Progressive, Audiophile and Nagel-Heyer. His recordings later were released on major label RCA-Victor. His discs were awarded a Gold Disc from Swing Journal Magazine. He also won the New Star and Gold Disc awards for his CD Tenors Any. He has recorded with Bucky Pizzarelli, Warren Vache and Jeff Hamilton. Allen draws his musical inspiration from the pioneers and giants of mainstream saxophone. Allen, unlike many of his contemporaries has largely eschewed the avant-garde and impressionist jazz schools of John Coltrane and Archie Shepp. Allen continues to record extensively, and makes frequent appearances on jazz festivals and concerts. Allmusic
