"The most important quality of a good arranger is insight", says Lee Allen. Insight, in this case, has been gained from a varied playing history that started when Lee began playing Memphis nightclubs during the late 60's, at the age of 14 (don't tell!).
The band in which Lee played became one of the most popular club, touring and show bands in late-60’s and early 70’s Memphis. Their work included backing Ollie and the Nightengales, touring with soul- and beach-music legend Major Lance. and once opening for soul and blues legend Bobby Womack.
The band in which Lee played became one of the most popular club, touring and show bands in late-60’s and early 70’s Memphis. Their work included backing Ollie and the Nightengales, touring with soul- and beach-music legend Major Lance. and once opening for soul and blues legend Bobby Womack.
“Memphis will always have a special place in American music history because it was the musical home of Elvis, BB King, Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, the Staple Singers, Al Green and dozens of other iconic American artists -- and all at the same time! It was very exciting to be a small part of this historic explosion and celebration of talent.”
Later, while a student at MIT, Lee held the pianist position in the MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble, the school's A-list jazz band under the direction of Herb Pomeroy of the Berklee School of Music. Lee considers Pomeroy, who was directly influenced by Duke Ellington and who toured with Lionel Hampton and Stan Kenton, as a major artistic influence and mentor.
Also while at MIT, Lee helped accompany and direct The MIT Gospel Choir.
During the '80's, Lee Allen was an arranger and accompanist for various performers including pop singer Suzanne Lee, contemporary Christian singer Ruth Adams, and the Gene Roberts Trio (left) in the Atlanta area. During this time Lee Allen also began his current solo music business.
During the '90's, Lee organized church music programs in Cambridge, Massachusetts (while returning to MIT as a grad student) and in Silicon Valley, California (while working in telecom R&D), in addition to performing occasionally as a soloist and "virtual jazz trio".
During 2005 Lee Allen began his current offering as a "solo pianist with the sound of a jazz trio", performing at country clubs, restaurants and upscale private homes.
During 2005 Lee Allen began his current offering as a "solo pianist with the sound of a jazz trio", performing at country clubs, restaurants and upscale private homes.
Lee Allen has successfully used his technique at restaurants, receptions, corporate parties and private parties -- for example,
- The Moonraker Restauant, Pacifica, California for three years (and counting!)
- MacArthur Park Restaurant in Palo Alto, California, for two years
- Faz Mediterranean Restaurant in Sunnyvale, California, for five years
- Ray's Ristorante in Lenox Square, Atlanta, for 18 months
- Murray Circle Restaurant, at Cavallo Point in Fort Baker, Sausalito, California, for two years
In California alone, Lee Allen has performed at prestigious locations including:
- The Moonraker Restauant, Pacifica, California for three years (and counting!)
- MacArthur Park Restaurant in Palo Alto, California, for two years
- Faz Mediterranean Restaurant in Sunnyvale, California, for five years
- Ray's Ristorante in Lenox Square, Atlanta, for 18 months
- Murray Circle Restaurant, at Cavallo Point in Fort Baker, Sausalito, California, for two years
In California alone, Lee Allen has performed at prestigious locations including:
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* AP Stump's, San Jose
* Apple HQ (Piano Bar), Cupertino * The Bellevue Club * Berkeley City Club * Best Western Millbrae * Bistro Gambrinus, San Francisco * Boulder Ridge Golf Club * Byington Winery, Los Gatos * Calafia Restaurant, Palo Alto * Canyon View, San Ramon * Cavallo Point, Fort Mason, San Francisco/Sausalito * Castagnolas, Fishermen's Wharf, San Francisco * Clement Intercontinental, Monterey * Clos LaChance Winery, San Martin * Coca Cola Artist Series - Gilroy * Crowne Plaza Foster City * Cypress Hotel, Cupertino * De Anza Hotel, San Jose * Dolce Hayes Mansion, San Jose * Doubletree San Jose * Elks Palo Alto * Embassy Suites, Burlingame * Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco * Fairmont Hotel, San Jose * Faz Mediterranean Restaurant, Sunnyvale * The Forum at Rancho San Antonio * Four Seasons, San Francisco * Gilroy Premium Outlets * Japanese Cultural Exchange Center - Hakone Gardens, Saratoga * Hillsbourough Raquet Club * Hilton Concord * Hilton Oakland Airport * Hilton San Francisco * Hilton San Jose * Hilton Santa Cruz * HS Lordship's, Berkeley * Hyatt Burlingame * Hyatt Sacramento * Hyatt Saint Claire, San Jose * Italian Athletic Club, San Francisco * Kohl Mansion * La Rinconada Country Club, Los Gatos |
* Lake Merced Golf Club, Daly City
* Lake Merritt Hotel, Oakland * Los Altos Country Club * Mark Hopkins Hotel, San Francisco * MacArthur Park Restaurant, Palo Alto * Menlo Circus Club * Moonraker Restaurant, Pacifica * Morocco's Restaurant, San Jose * Moscone Center, San Francisco * The Old Sugar Mill, Sacramento * Palace Hotel, San Francisco * Palo Alto Hills Golf & Country Club * Palo Alto Women's' Club * Palmdale Estates, Fremont * The Pines, Sausalito * Prime 109 Restaurant, Santa Clara * Ritz Carlton San Francisco * Round Hill Country Club, Alamo (Walnut Creek) * San Francisco City Hall * San Francisco Yacht Club * San Jose Country Club * San Jose Women's Club * San Mateo CA Public Library * Saratoga Country Club * Saratoga Foothill Club * Silicon Valley Capital Club, San Jose * Silver Creek Valley Country Club, San Jose * Silverado Senior Living, Belmont * Sir Francis Drake Hotel, San Francisco * Sonoma Chicken Coop, Campbell * Stanford University * Super Steer Steak House, Dos Palos * Tarragon Restaurant, Sunnyvale * Tech Museum of Innovation, San Jose * Tommy Bahamas Restaurant, Palm Desert * Toll House Hotel, Los Gatos * Vedas Restaurant, Milpitas * Versailles Senior Living, San Mateo * The Vi At Palo Alto * W Hotel, San Francisco * West Bay Conference Center, San Francisco * Westin Palo Alto |