Full Bio

Mike Allen is a Canadian jazz tenor saxophonist, composer, and bandleader whose career reflects a lifelong dedication to creative music and the evolving language of jazz. Known for a sound that is both lyrical and exploratory, Allen has developed a highly personal voice grounded in the tradition while remaining open to new directions in improvisation and composition.

Originally from Kingston, Ontario, Allen came of age musically in Montreal, where he became an active presence on the city’s vibrant jazz scene. From 1990 to 1995, he was a member of guitarist Sonny Greenwich’s band, an experience that proved formative in shaping his musical identity and approach to improvisation.

Allen later moved to New York City to pursue graduate studies at New York University, earning a Master’s degree in Jazz Performance. While in New York, he studied with master musicians Joe Henderson, Joe Lovano, and Dave Liebman, further refining his approach and deepening his connection to the lineage of the tenor saxophone.

Over the course of his career, Allen has performed and recorded with many of the most respected figures in jazz, including Kenny Wheeler, Gary Bartz, Cedar Walton, Don Friedman, Chuck Israels, and Julian Priester. His versatility and depth as a musician have also led to work outside the straight-ahead jazz world, including his appearance on Michael Bublé’s Grammy Award–winning album Crazy Love.

As a recording artist, Allen has released an extensive body of work as a leader, with more than a dozen albums to his credit. His recordings have earned critical acclaim and industry recognition, including major Canadian awards for albums such as Dialectic and Love One Another. His releases have charted on jazz radio and have been broadcast internationally on outlets including CBC and NPR.

In addition to his work as a performer, Allen is a dedicated educator. He has held university teaching positions and has worked extensively with developing musicians, sharing his knowledge of improvisation, repertoire, and the jazz tradition. His teaching reflects the same depth, clarity, and commitment that characterize his playing.

Now based on Canada’s West Coast, Allen remains an active and vital presence in the jazz community. Whether leading his own ensembles or collaborating with other artists, he continues to explore new musical territory while drawing on decades of experience. His playing has been described as “spare, elegant, melodic, soaring, fierce”—a balance of intensity and lyricism that defines his ongoing artistic voice.

Selected Career Highlights

• Performed and recorded with Kenny Wheeler, Gary Bartz, Cedar Walton, Don Friedman, Chuck Israels, and Julian Priester
• Member of Sonny Greenwich’s band (1990–1995)
• Master’s Degree in Jazz Performance, New York University
• Featured on Michael Bublé’s Grammy Award–winning album Crazy Love
• Award-winning albums Dialectic and Love One Another
• Broadcasts on CBC and NPR
• Coverage in DownBeat and All About Jazz