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Artist
Jackie Allen
12+ albums
jazzfemale vocalistsjazz vocalinstrumentalvocal jazz
about
Jackie Allen is a jazz singer whose versatility, range, and infectious enthusiasm make her one of the most accomplished vocalists on the Chicago scene. She has gained a large, enthusiastic following and critical acclaim for her performances throughout Chicago, the Midwest, and overseas. Jackie’s self-produced CD, "Never Let Me Go" brought outstanding reviews. Her holiday album with jazz veteran Judy Roberts, paired two of the city's most popular female performers and inspired a series of standing-room concerts. Jackie's work as a jazz educator has made her one of Chicago's most influential and respected vocal instructors. Jackie Allen is a Midwestern native who grew up surrounded by music. Her father, Gene Allen, plays Dixieland jazz tuba, and she and her four siblings all played brass instruments. Her choice was the French horn. At the University of Wisconsin at Madison, she studied music with an eclectic mix of teachers including renowned jazz bassist Richard Davis and pianist/theoretician Joan Wildman; as well as studying voice with Lois Fisher and John Gilmore. Jackie formed her first jazz quartet in the mid-1980s. It was while performing five nights a week as a duo with Mel Rhyne (the original keyboardist for jazz legend Wes Montgomery) that she began to develop her distinctive, sophisticated style . In Chicago, she performs regularly in clubs such as Lush Life, Andy’s, Green Mill, Pops for Champagne, and Toulouse. "Never Let Me Go" (Lake Shore Jazz) received glowin
