Home » Jazz Musicians » Dave Allen

Dave Allen

Guitarist and Composer Dave Allen was first recognized by Guitar Player Magazine as a talent to watch at 16 years old. He has been praised by critics as " An exciting and unique player in the mold of Pat Metheny, Ben Monder and Adam Rogers. Monster chops, harmonic resourcefulness, strong melodic sense, considerable compositional talent ". (Lyle Robinson of Jazz Guitar Life)

Born in Philadelphia, Allen began performing and composing at the age of 15. After discovering the music of John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and Keith Jarrett, he moved to New York City to attend the Manhattan School of Music where he studied with Jack Wilkins, John Abercrombie and David Liebman. Over the next twenty years Allen performed with many of the most respected musicians in jazz today, including Mark Turner, Miguel Zenon, Joey Baron, Ravi Coltrane, Dave Binney, Jeff Ballard, Seamus Blake, Donny McCaslin, Marcus Gilmore, and many others. He has released two critically acclaimed recordings ("Untold Stories" and "Real and Imagined") and has been written about in the New York Times, Downbeat Magazine and Jazz Times Magazine. He has toured with his own projects and as a sideman throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia.

As a composer, Allen is known for his challenging writing and his use of rhythmic layering and dense harmonies. He is also deeply influenced and inspired by modern painting, poetry and cinema. He has composed works based on the paintings of Willem de Kooning, the poetry of Wallace Stevens, and the films of Stan Brakage. In 2015 Allen was commisoned to compose a suite for string quartet for the Klasik Keyifler music organization in Istanbul. The work, “Thrown Voices”, was performed in Cappadocia, Istanbul, Berlin and New York. He has recently made a new recording with his quintet which will be released later in 2018.

As an educator, Allen often gives masterclasses and workshops when traveling. He specializes in advanced rhythmic concepts and modern harmonic vocabulary and often uses his own compositions in his teaching. He is currently developing a book on this subject. Allen has been a faculty member of the New York Jazz Academy and Bahcesahir University Masters program in Istanbul. He has also taught at New York University and The University of the Arts and he is currently on faculty at Temple University.

Tags

5
Album Review

Dave Allen: The Sky Above Her

Read "The Sky Above Her" reviewed by Troy Dostert


Guitarist Dave Allen's satiny-smooth tone and precise technique belie an intrepid sensibility that is eager to rise to the surface. So unsuspecting listeners who cue up the title track of The Sky Above Her, Allen's third album as a leader, might at first be tricked into thinking they'll be listening to something easy on the ears, as the track possesses an ingratiating, comfortable feel; Allen's melodicism definitely contributes to that impression. But by the album's second cut, Allen's adventurous side ...

255
Album Review

Dave Allen: Real and Imagined

Read "Real and Imagined" reviewed by Farrell Lowe


Dave Allen's sophomore effort provides nine more of his original compositions to absorb and enjoy. Real and Imagined is filled to the brim with music that is an intricate and flowing tapestry of lyricism and cinematic environments. As a guitarist, Allen readily shows he is of the same pedigree as some of his peers (Ben Monder, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Tim Ziesmer, Steve Cardenas) and, like his peers, he has a fully developed and mature approach to composition, technical command of his ...

147
Album Review

Dave Allen: Real and Imagined

Read "Real and Imagined" reviewed by Budd Kopman


With Real And Imagined, guitarist Dave Allen has solidified a style that was first presented with his debut album, Untold Stories (Fresh Sound New Talent, 2005). This is music that is very hip. Pulsating rhythms, odd meters and phrase lengths, and subtly shifting harmonies are played with a cool guitar tone that belies the driving, unpredictable lines. Allen's effortless technique downplays the apparent complexity, paradoxically creating a cool surface sheen that has a white heat glowing beneath ...

1
Album Review

Dave Allen: Real and Imagined

Read "Real and Imagined" reviewed by AAJ Italy Staff


Il chitarrista americano Dave Allen si conferma come uno dei nuovi talenti da seguire con questo ottimo Real and Imagined che fa seguito al debutto avvenuto nel 2005 con l'album Untold Stories. Nato nell'aprile del 1970 e cresciuto a Philadelphia, Allen era già stato segnalato giovanissimo sulle pagine di 'Guitar Player' come talento emergente, ma poi si era un po' perso nelle nebbie del professionismo.Questo album, pubblicato dalla spagnola Fresh Sound, lo vede in compagnia di Seamus Blake, ...

260
Album Review

Dave Allen: Real and Imagined

Read "Real and Imagined" reviewed by Mark F. Turner


Dave Allen's Real and Imagined is of particular interest as it exposes refreshing music that seemingly comes out of nowhere, causing you to wonder why you haven't heard of the artist before. But Allen is no neophyte, performing and thriving in NYC's diverse jazz environment for a number of years. Real and Imagined is his second release, following Untold Stories (Fresh Sound, 2005), featuring his working quartet consisting of the potent rhythm section of bassist Drew Gress ...

159
Album Review

Dave Allen: Untold Stories

Read "Untold Stories" reviewed by Donald Elfman


The Fresh Sound label and its owner, Jordi Pujol, continue to mine untapped wealth in New York with the New Talent series, discovering scores of fine musicians playing and writing under the radar, extending the jazz tradition by exploring new colors in which to improvise. The label's latest release is guitarist Dave Allen's debut.Allen--who has a regular trio gig at New York's Push club, where he plays every Monday--has come to be known for both his sense of ...

199
Album Review

Dave Allen: Untold Stories

Read "Untold Stories" reviewed by Budd Kopman


Having attempted to play the guitar, I have a special place in my heart for guitarists, especially when in the aural presence of a master like Dave Allen, who brings to mind the ironic cartoon where one guitarist is watching another play and the bubble says, “I can do that. Many guitarists come out of schools like Berklee with blazing technique, but they pale to the ear quickly when you realize technique is all there is. Allen ...

Read more articles
124

Event

Dave Allen Trio and Quartet - May 4th and 11th in NYC

Dave Allen Trio and Quartet - May 4th and 11th in NYC

Source: Michael Ricci

Dave Allen Trio with Matt Clohesy - bass Tom Rainey - drums Tuesday, May 4th At Korzo in Brooklyn One set at 9:30pm 667 5th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11215 (718) 285-9425 Dave Allen Quartet John O'Gallagher - sax Matt Clohesy - bass Tom Rainey - drums Tuesday, May 11th At Cornelia St Cafe Two sets starting ...

170

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Dave Allen

Jazz Musician of the Day: Dave Allen

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Dave Allen's birthday today!

JAZZ MUSICIAN OF THE DAY Dave Allen

The Dave Allen Quartet brings together some of the best young talent that New York City has to offer. Their debut recording, Untold Stories, documents a well-crafted group sound rarely found in music today... more

Website | Photos | Articles

Follow Dave Allen

Put AAJ's Musician of the Day box on your website or ...

136

Performance / Tour

Dave Allen Quartet at Nublu Jazz Festival (NYC) on November 13th

Dave Allen Quartet at Nublu Jazz Festival (NYC) on November 13th

Source: Michael Ricci


193

Performance / Tour

Dave Allen Quartet Featuring David Liebman - September at 55 Bar

Dave Allen Quartet Featuring David Liebman - September at 55 Bar

Source: All About Jazz

Dave Allen Quartet performs September 8th at the 55 Bar.

Dave Allen Quartet with Dave Liebman - sax Chris Lightcap - bass Adam Cruz - drums

55 Bar 55 Christopher St 10pm-1am

Allen has found a true voice, his effortless technique downplays the apparent complexity, paradoxically creating a cool surface sheen that has a white heat glowing beneath it...music that seduces both the body and mind--again and again. ...

157

Performance / Tour

Dave Allen Quartet at 55 Bar on July 1st

Dave Allen Quartet at 55 Bar on July 1st

Source: All About Jazz


119

Performance / Tour

Dave Allen Quartet - June 19th at Smalls

Dave Allen Quartet - June 19th at Smalls

Source: All About Jazz

June 19th

Dave Allen Quartet with Seamus Blake - sax Massimo Biocalti - bass Greg Ritchie - drums

Smalls 183 W 10th St at 7th ave 730-10pm

Cover Charge gets you in all night. Donny McCaslin's group plays after us.

“Dave Allen is one of a number of spitfire jazz guitarists raising the bar on that ever- popular instrument. But Allen offers more than battle-ready chops—his ...

172

Performance / Tour

Dave Allen Quartet at Tea Lounge (NYC) on May 12th

Dave Allen Quartet at Tea Lounge (NYC) on May 12th

Source: All About Jazz

May 12th Tea Lounge with Mark Turner - sax Jeff Ballard - drums Chris Lightcap - bass Dave Allen - guitar/compositions 9pm - 12 837 Union St, Brooklyn $5 Cover “Allen has found a true voice, his effortless technique downplays the apparent complexity, paradoxically creating a cool surface sheen that has a white heat glowing beneath it...music that seduces both the body and mind--again and again." --All About Jazz “An exciting and unique player in the mold of ...

163

Performance / Tour

Dave Allen Trio at Bar Next Door on May 7th

Dave Allen Trio at Bar Next Door on May 7th

Source: All About Jazz

Dave Allen Trio with Dave Allen - guitar/compositions Jochen Rueckert - drums John Hebert - bass May 7th at Bar Next Door (downstairs at La Lanterna) 8pm to 12 129 MacDougal St $10 cover “Allen has found a true voice, his effortless technique downplays the apparent complexity, paradoxically creating a cool surface sheen that has a white heat glowing beneath it...music that seduces both the body and mind--again and again." ...

131

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Dave Allen

Jazz Musician of the Day: Dave Allen

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Dave Allen's birthday today!

JAZZ MUSICIAN OF THE DAY Dave Allen

The Dave Allen Quartet brings together some of the best young talent that New York City has to offer. Their debut recording, Untold Stories, documents a well-crafted group sound rarely found in music today... more

Website | Videos | Articles

Follow Dave Allen @ AAJ

Put AAJ's Musician of the Day box on your ...

120

Performance / Tour

Dave Allen Quartet - April 2nd at Tea Lounge, NYC

Dave Allen Quartet - April 2nd at Tea Lounge, NYC

Source: All About Jazz

Dave Allen Quartet plays the Tea Lounge April 2nd

With Noah Preminger - sax Dave Ambrosio - bass Dan Weiss - drums

THE TEA LOUNGE 837 Union St, Brooklyn $5 suggested

Allen has a fully developed and mature approach to composition, technical command of his instrument, and the inspirational fortitude to pull wonderful music from the ensemble. Each piece is like an aural painting or film in the way it slides across ...

"There is a true sensuality to the guitarist‚s sound. On the new Untold Stories, he brings a pearly tone to a piece called "Searching," unfolding his lines with an edge-of-your-seat stealth. His weekly trio gig is one of the scene's overlooked treats." - Jim Macnie

"fiery and eloquent... Allen brings daunting chops, full-bodied tone and melodic sensitivity." - David Adler - Jazz Times Magazine

"The music is full of subtlety. Allen has no seeming limit to his technique, but he always puts it to good musical ends. His lines are full of twists and turns, but I always hear thought and emotion, not just flying fingers." -Budd Kopman, All About Jazz

Read more

Primary Instrument

Guitar, electric

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

The Sky Above Her

Fresh Sound Records
2018

buy

Real and Imagined

Fresh Sound Records
2007

buy

Untold Stories

Fresh Sound Records
2005

buy

Similar

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.