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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, May 19, 1967
BENEFIT FOR RED ALLEN
A mammoth jazz tribute to benefit the family of the late, great trumpeter, Henry Red Allen, Jr. will be held Sunday June 4, at the Riverboat (Empire State Bldg., 34th St. and 5th Ave.) from 7 P.M. to midnight. Tickets available at the Colony Record Shop, B'way and 52nd St. for $3.00. Tickets may also be purchased at the door on the evening of this concert.
Many of the greatest names in jazz are scheduled to appear: Jonah Jones, Earl Hines, Bobby Hackett, Coleman Hawkins, Roy Eldridge, Clark Terry, Charlie Shavers, Pee Wee Russell, Bud Freeman, Buddy Tate and Tyree Glenn.
Tony Parenti is bringing his band from Jimmy Ryan's Club, Yank Lawson the band from Eddie Condon's; Sol Yaged the band from the Gaslight and Lou Metcalf the band from the Ali Baba. Included in these groups are such jazz notables as Zutty Singleton, Max Kaminsky, Cutty Cutshall & Ray Nance.
More of Red's friends who will share the stand will be J.C. Higginbotham,
Joe Thomas, Benny Morten, Wilbur DeParis, Jo Jones, Sonny Greer plus the
Saints and Sinners Band -- led by Red Richards, featuring Vic Dickenson.
Last January Red fell ill, was hospitalized and underwent surgery. Shortly after,
he undertook a tour of England, which turned out to be his last professional
engagement. Soon after his return his condition worsened and he returned
to the hospital, where he passed away on April 17. To add to the tragedy
(and the expense) his wife was also hospitalized during this period, after
which she entered a rest home.
Henry 'Red' Allen, Jr. has already gone down in history as one of the great hornmen of his era. He was also a gifted vocalist and composer. Many remember him for his uninhibited brand of showmanship which immediately infected all within earshot.
Red was born in Algiers, La., (just across the river from New Orleans) on January 7, 1908. His father played trumpet and led a marching band in New Orleans for many years. As a child Red learned trumpet from his father and in a few years was playing and marching in his father's band. During the 1920's he worked around New Orleans with bands led by George Lewis, Eddie Jackson, John Handy and Fats Pichon.
In 1927 he traveled to the midwest to join King Oliver's band, staying with him for a few months and then went east with them as far as the Savoy in New York. Next he joined Sidney Desvigne in Cinncinati before returning to New Orleans to work on the S.S. Capitol with Fate Marable. In 1929 he came to join Luis Russell's orchestra and following this Red worked with such big bands as Don Redman (1931), Fletcher Henderson (1933), Blue Rhythm Band (1934-36) and Louis Armstrong (1937-40).
When he left Louis Armstrong Red formed his own sextet, a format which he maintained for the next twenty years. During the 1940's he worked around N.Y., playing at Cafe Society, Kelly's Stables and Jimmy Ryan's. Next came a long stint at Stuyvesant Casino as well as Central Plaza and in 1954 he became leader of the house band at the Metropole, a place which he virtually put on the map. He was to remain here for the next 10 years.
Red has appeared on television on such shows as "the Sound of Jazz", "Art Ford's Jazz Party" and "Dial M for Music". He is also well remembered for his appearances at the Newport and Monterrey Jazz Festivals. In 1959 he toured Europe with the Kid Ory band and many times since on his own.
Red Allen's recording career includes sides with such men as King Oliver, Fats Waller, Jelly Roll Morton, Artie Shaw, Teddy Wilson & Lady Day.
It is fitting that there be such a tribute to Henry Red Allen, Jr., who was always on hand to lend his support and blow for his buddies anywhere and any time.
From: Jack Bradley - 675 West 187 Street, N.Y.C. - Phone: WA 8-4896 - 5/19/67