On Monday, Oct. 26, students in The University of Southern Mississippi’s Jazz Studies Program will present their fall concert showcase on campus in the Mannoni Performing Arts Center at 8 p.m. The showcase will feature special guest and world-renowned drummer Carl Allen.
Born in Milwaukee, and professionally based in New York City, Allen is a drummer, sideman, band leader, entrepreneur and educator, according to his website. He has over 200 recordings to his credit, and he has been studying, performing and recording jazz music for over three decades. He also tours extensively, performing with other well known artists in the world of jazz music.
In fact, Allen’s performance at Southern Miss comes on the heels of a European tour with his band, and this performance is one of several stops at major universities across the United States in a series of educational clinics and residencies.
“Education has always been part of my mission,” Allen wrote on his website. “Every generation needs someone to help them get to the next level, and this what I am hoping to do.”
Indeed, opportunities like this one to learn from and perform alongside such a force in today’s jazz music is one of the things that makes Jazz Studies at Southern Miss the program that it is. Nick Panella, a senior jazz studies major, shared his thoughts on the importance of performers like Allen visiting USM.
“It’s always good when the School of Music brings in musicians who are performers and not teachers because it gives us a greater perspective on what each of us aims to achieve,” Panella said. Daron Roberts, a junior music performance major described Allen as artistic, laid-back and enthralling.
“His love for not only music but for young people in general is something I am excited about experiencing, and I have no doubt that the knowledge he shares with us would become an integral part of our overall approach to jazz,” Roberts said.
Admission to the concert is free and open to the public.
To learn more about Carl Allen including tour dates, biography, discography and more, visit his website at carlallen.com.
