“Canada's top jazz saxophonist” - Ottawa Citizen

EPK

MIKE ALLEN
Canadian Jazz Tenor Saxophonist · Composer · Recording Artist

 

CONTACT
Website: www.mikeallenjazz.com
Email: mikeallenjazz@gmail.com

 

ARTIST PROFILE
Mike Allen is an award-winning Canadian jazz tenor saxophonist, composer, and bandleader known for his distinctive voice and deep connection to the jazz tradition. With a career spanning Canada and the United States, he has established himself as a compelling improviser with a sound that is both lyrical and exploratory.

A graduate of New York University’s Master’s program in Jazz Performance, Allen studied with renowned musicians including Joe Henderson, Joe Lovano, and Dave Liebman. His playing reflects a deep lineage of the tenor saxophone tradition combined with a fresh and personal approach.

 

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)
• Featured on Michael Bublé’s Grammy Award–winning album Crazy Love
• Award-winning recordings including Dialectic and Love One Another
• Broadcasts on CBC and NPR
• Coverage in DownBeat and All About Jazz

 

DISCOGRAPHY (SELECTED)
• To a Star • Just Like Magic • Celebrating Sonny Greenwich • A Hip Cosmos • Panorama • The Feel Of Life • Bob's Piano • Love One Another • Fearless • Dialectic
 

Full ALMUS JAZZ discography available at: https://mikeallenjazz.bandcamp.com/

Full CELLAR LIVE discography available at: https://mikeallensax.bandcamp.com/

 

 

PRESS
“Spare, elegant, melodic, soaring, fierce…”  (Jazz Journal International)

"Allen's improvisations swing effortlessly and eschew stock clichés in favor of more inventive phraseology."  (Cadence Magazine)

"A treat to hear in any setting."  (The Jazz Review)

"Allen, like Rollins before him, a supremely melodic improvisor"  (Globe and Mail)

"Allen's true strength is his ability to pace and phrase his solos in a way that draws a listener into the music."  (Planet Jazz)

"there is fire burning beneath the velvet."  (Vancouver Sun)

"Mike Allen's world is well worth a visit."  (The Jazz) Report

 

CURRENT ACTIVITY
Based on Canada’s West Coast, Mike Allen leads his own ensembles and performs internationally while continuing his work as an educator and clinician. He is available for concerts, festivals, and masterclasses.

 

BOOKING
Available for:
• Festivals
• Concert series
• Jazz clubs
• Workshops & masterclasses

Contact: mikeallenjazz@gmail.com

Press photos

Sample Track

Sample Video