Lee Francis Allen
b. July 2nd, 1926 in Pittsburg (Kansas)
d. October 10th, 1994 in Los Angeles (California)
ROOTS OF ROCK 'N ROLL vol.6 : HONKERS AND SCREAMERS
Savoy
June 1954
Né au Kansas, il grandit à Denver puis à la Nouvelle Orléans. Il hésite entre une carrière de sportif et de musicien avant d'opter pour la seconde au milieu des années 40. Dès 1947, Lee devient le saxophone de Paul Gayten. A la Nouvelle Orléans, il s'impose rapidement comme un des meilleurs sidemen de la ville jouant notamment dans les studios de Cosimo Matassa. Remarqué par Robert "Bumps" Blackwell, il trouve l'opportunité de jouer derrière Little Richard. Puis, en juin 1954, il signe chez Savoy ses premiers titres en leader avec "Creole alley" et "The Eel". On découvre alors ses superbes talents de saxophoniste puissant et fluide. Malheureusement, le directeur de Savoy, Herman Lubinsky, ne croit pas en lui et les titres restèrent inédits jusqu'en 1979 et la parution de cette anthologie.
Born in Kansas, he grew up in Denver and then in New Orleans. He hesitated between a career as a sportsman and a musician before opting for the second in the mid 1940's. In 1947, Lee became the saxophone of Paul Gayten. In New Orleans, he quickly established himself as one of the best sidemen in the city, playing in particular in the studios of Cosimo Matassa. Noticed by Robert "Bumps" Blackwell, he found the opportunity to play behind Little Richard. Then, in june 1954, he signed at Savoy his first titles as leader with "Creole alley" and "The Eel". We then discover his superb talents as a powerful and fluid saxophonist. Unfortunately, the director of Savoy, Herman Lubinsky, does not believe in him and the titles remained unissued until 1979 and the publication of this anthology.
ALADDIN ROCKS AND ROLLS TILL MIDNIGHT
Aladdin
LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL
One Day Music
August 1956
Entretemps grâce à Dave Bartholomew en juin 1953, Lee Allen intègre le groupe de Fats Domino chez Imperial. Puis, il travaille également avec Smiley Lewis, Shirley & Lee, Lloyd Price, Tommy Ridgley. Pour Aladdin, il enregistre quelques morceaux Rhythm & Blues cuivrés et dansants comme "Rockin' at Cosmo's" ou "Skimmy".
Meanwhile, thanks to Dave Bartholomew in june 1953, Lee Allen joined Fats Domino's backing band at Imperial. Then, he also works with Smiley Lewis, Shirley & Lee, Lloyd Price, Tommy Ridgley. For Aladdin, he records some brassy dancing Rhythm & Blues titles like "Rockin' at Cosmo's" or "Skimmy".
WALKING WITH MR LEE
Ember
Collectables
Redita
1957
Après avoir signé avec Al Silver en 1957 sur la marque Herald/Ember, Lee peut enfin graver un album entier. Dans ce disque tout instrumental, il peut exprimer son style typiquement néo-orléanais entre Rhythm & Blues, Rock & Roll et Jazz que domine son superbe saxophone : "Hot rod special", "Lee's blues", "Strollin' with Mr Lee", "Walking with Mr Lee", "Cat walk", "Boppin' at the hop". Derrière lui, on entend de remarquables musiciens comme Edward Frank, Allen Toussaint, Edgar Blanchard, Frank Fields, Charles Williams.
After signing with Al Silver in 1957 on the Herald / Ember imprint, Lee can finally cut an entire album. In this all instrumental record, he can express his typically New Orleans style between Rhythm & Blues, Rock & Roll and Jazz dominated by his superb saxophone : "Hot rod special", "Lee's blues", "Strollin' with Mr Lee", "Walking with Mr Lee", "Cat walk", "Boppin' at the hop". Behind him, we hear remarkable musicians like Edward Frank, Allen Toussaint, Edgar Blanchard, Frank Fields, Charles Williams.
THE BLUES SHOW : LIVE AT THE PIT INN
Yupiteru
P-Vine
November 1980
Aux côtés de Lowell Fulson, Lee Allen interprète son fameux "Walkin' with Mr Lee" lors d'une tournée japonaise.
Along with Lowell Fulson, Lee Allen performs his famous "Walkin' with Mr Lee" during a japanese tour.
IF YOU DON'T I KNOW YOUR SISTER WILL
NoLa
April 1981