Biography
Henry 'Red' Allen, born Henry James Allen Jr. on January 7, 1908, in Algiers, Louisiana, grew up immersed in New Orleans jazz culture as the son of trumpeter Henry Allen Sr., who led a prominent brass band. By age ten, Red was marching in his father's band, and at seventeen, he played his first steady gig with saxophonist John Handy in 1925. He honed his skills on riverboats with Fate Marable in 1927-1929, developing a flamboyant, exploratory trumpet style characterized by rhythmic flexibility, harmonic adventurousness, and a clear, polished tone with slower vibrato—often seen as an innovative alternative to Louis Armstrong's influence, though contemporaries sometimes accused him of 'wrong notes' that later proved visionary.[1][2]
Allen moved to New York in 1927 to join King Oliver's band, making his recording debut with Clarence Williams before returning home briefly. In 1929, he rejoined Luis Russell's orchestra as Victor Records' rival to Armstrong, establishing his reputation with recordings like 'Biffly Blues.' He played with Fletcher Henderson (1933-1934), influencing figures like Harry James, then the Mills Blue Rhythm Band (1934-1937), freelancing extensively. From 1937 to 1940, he was in Louis Armstrong's orchestra via Russell, serving as a warm-up act while freelancing on 52nd Street. In 1940, Allen formed his own sextet at Cafe Society, blending swing, New Orleans jazz, and jump rhythms, later leading at the Metropole (1954-1965) during the Dixieland revival, showcasing mature blues improvisation and lower-register exploration.[1][2][3]
Allen's legacy endures as a swing-era trumpet master and vocalist whose forward-thinking style bridged eras, from hot jazz to bebop influences, though bebop diminished his New York prominence in the 1940s-1950s, leading to extensive touring. He remained active until his death on April 17, 1967, celebrated for energetic performances, riff-driven leads, and showmanship without compromising innovation, notably stealing the show at the 1965 Monterey Jazz Festival alongside Clark Terry, Rex Stewart, and Dizzy Gillespie.[1][2][5]
Fun Facts
- Turned down Duke Ellington in 1929 to join Luis Russell because of New Orleans friends in Russell's band, passing on replacing Bubber Miley.[2]
- One of the first racially integrated bands on 52nd Street in 1936 with Eddie Condon and Joe Marsala.[1]
- Recorded with Jelly Roll Morton in 1940 during the New Orleans jazz revival.[2]
- Stole the show at the 1965 Monterey Jazz Festival alongside Clark Terry, Rex Stewart, and Dizzy Gillespie.[2]
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Henry Allen Sr. - Father and bandleader who taught him trumpet and included him in his brass band (Allen Sr.'s brass band parades) [1918 onward (age 10)]
- Fate Marable - Riverboat bandleader who provided early professional experience (Riverboat bands) [1927-1929]
- Louis Armstrong - Stylistic influence on trumpet playing, though Allen developed his own alternative approach (Early recordings like 'Biffly Blues') [1920s-1930s]
Key Collaborators
- Luis Russell - Band leader; Allen was key soloist in his orchestra (Luis Russell Orchestra recordings; Victor sessions) [1929-1932, 1937-1940]
- Fletcher Henderson - Key soloist in Henderson's orchestra ('Queer Notions' with Coleman Hawkins) [1933-1934]
- J. C. Higginbotham - Trombonist and fellow alumnus in Allen's sextet (Red Allen Sextet at Cafe Society) [1940s]
- Louis Armstrong - Sideman in Armstrong's orchestra (via Russell band) (Louis Armstrong Orchestra) [1937-1940]
- Coleman Hawkins - Featured on recordings together ('I Cover the Waterfront' (1957)) [1957]
Artists Influenced
- Harry James - Adopted Allen's agile, flowing solos in Henderson charts (Later Henderson arrangements for Benny Goodman) [1930s]
- Roy Eldridge - Commented on Allen's radical, original solos (mistakenly called mistakes) (Henderson solos like 'Queer Notions') [1930s onward]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Midnight Blue | 1938-12-13 | Album |
| Everybody Shout | 1934-12-13 | Album |
| Swing Out | 1999-01-01 | Album |
| Red Allen: Original 1933-1941 Recordings | 2011-05-03 | Album |
| The Incomparable Henry Red Allen, Vol. 1: The Golden Years | 2019-02-11 | Album |
| Complete Jazz Series 1937 - 1941 | 2008-10-15 | Album |
| Red Allen: Original 1933-1941 Recordings | 2011-05-03 | Album |
| Red Allen Meets Kid Ory (Remastered) | 2012 | Album |
| World On A String | 1991-04-11 | Album |
| The Birth of Swing - 1929-1930 Sessions | 2025-04-04 | Album |
| Old Folks | 2018-02-26 | Album |
| Red Allen and the Blues Singers, Vol. 2 (Original Recordings 1940) | 2015-01-01 | Album |
| The Incomparable Henry Red Allen - the Golden Years, Vol. 3 | 2019-06-14 | Album |
| The Incomparable Henry Red Allen: The Golden Years, Vol. 2 | 2019-03-29 | Album |
| Early Jazz (Remastered) | 2013-03-05 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Just a Closer Walk with Thee (Midnight Blue)
- You're Gonna Lose Your Gal (Everybody Shout)
- You're Gonna Lose Your Gal (Swing Out)
- A Sheridan "Square" (07-22-41) (Complete Jazz Series 1937 - 1941)
- There's a House in Harlem for Sale (The Incomparable Henry Red Allen, Vol. 1: The Golden Years)
- Whose Honey Are You (Midnight Blue)
- The Mood That I'm In (Everybody Shout)
- Canal Street Blues (Everybody Shout)
- Whose Honey Are You? (Red Allen: Original 1933-1941 Recordings)
- College Holiday: I Adore You (Red Allen: Original 1933-1941 Recordings)
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Henry Red Allen has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 12, 2025 | 09:39 | Jersey Lightningfrom Swing Out [Topaz] | Traditional Jazzw/ the Jazz Police |