Ed Allen (musician)
Ed Allen | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Edward Clifton Allen |
| Born | December 15, 1897 Nashville, Tennessee |
| Died | January 28, 1974(aged 76) New York City, New York |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Instrument(s) | Trumpet, cornet |
Edward Clifton Allen(December 15, 1897 – January 28, 1974) was an Americanjazztrumpeter and cornetist.[1]
Early life
[edit]Allen was born inNashville, Tennesseeon December 15, 1897.[2]His family moved toSt. Louis, Missouriwhen he was seven; he began playing piano at age ten and settled on cornet soon after.[3]He worked as a truck driver in his teens and played inmilitary bands.[3]
Later life and career
[edit]By the mid-1910s Allen was playing professionally in local nightclubs and bars.[3]He moved toSeattleto take a gig withRalph Stevenson,then returned to St. Louis to play on theStreckfusline ofriverboatswhich ran betweenNew Orleansand St. Louis on theMississippi River.[3]Early in the 1920s he played in the band ofCharlie Creath,but by 1922 he had his own ensemble, the Whispering Gold Band, aboard theS.S. Capitol.[3]After this, he was based in New Orleans until 1923.[2]
In 1924 he made his way to Chicago and played withEarl Hinesuntil 1925.[3]He then played from 1925 to 1927 in a revue called Ed Daily's Black and White Show, as a member ofJoe Jordan's group, the Sharps & Flats.[3]Between 1927 and 1937 Allen recorded extensively withClarence Williams.[2]Allen also accompanied vocalistBessie Smithon some recordings, and recorded in several bands ofKing Oliver's.[3]
Allen played in various dance bands through the 1930s and 1940s, then played withBenton Heathin New York City from the middle of the 1940s up until 1963.[3]His last appearance on record was in England withChris Barberin the 1950s.[3]After 1963 his failing health resulted in retirement from music.[3]He died in New York City on January 28, 1974.[2]
Playing style
[edit]"In his early work Allen sometimes used the cackle-like muted timbre employed by contemporary jazz cornetists, and he produced a pleasant tone with a wa-wa mute; on the open instrument he often affected a singing, lyrical style in the manner ofJoe Smith,but he showed a substantial New Orleans influence, especially in his lead playing. "[2]
References
[edit]- ^Cook, Richard (2005).Richard Cook's Jazz Encyclopedia.London: Penguin Books. p. 8.ISBN0-141-00646-3.
- ^abcdeZieff, Bob (2003). "Allen, Ed(ward Clifton)".Grove Music Online.Oxford University Press.doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.J006800.
- ^abcdefghijkChadbourne, Eugene."Ed Allen: Biography".AllMusic.Accessed March 14, 2020.
