| Genres: |
R&B / Soul
|
| Descriptive "tags": |
jazz, saxophone, sax, rhythm and
blues, need to rate, under 2000 listeners
|
| Decades Active: |
1950s,
1990s,
2000s
|
Biography
2 July 1926, Pittsburg, Kansas, USA, d. 18 October 1994, Los Angeles, California, USA. One of the great tenor saxophonist session men of the classic R&B era, Allen played with a verve and excitement equalled by few musicians. He is best known for his notable instrumental hit from 1958, ‘Walkin’ With Mr. Lee’ (number 54 pop). Allen began his professional career in 1947 playing in the Paul Gayten band in New Orleans. By the 50s he was a key member of the famed Dave Bartholomew session band that played behind just about every R&B artist who recorded in New Orleans. Behind such artists as Fats Domino, Smiley Lewis, Amos Milburn, Lloyd Price and Little Richard, Allen played exciting solos as well as great riffs in tandem with baritone saxophonist Alvin ‘Red’ Tyler. Allen recorded his first solo record in 1956 for the Aladdin label, ‘Rockin’ At Cosimo’s’. Following his ‘Walkin’ With Mr. Lee’ hit, he....
Read the Full Biography of Lee Allen
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