About Me
Duane Allen was born in Hollywood, Fl. in 1972. He first began playing guitar at the age of 12, after becoming fascinated with the rock music of his youth. He first studied guitar with local guitarist Michael Corbin, where he learned the fundamentals of music, as well as the rock styles of the time. After being exposed to jazz music, he began his studies in the ninth grade with the renowned jazz guitar instructor Vincent Bredice, whom he studied with for nine years. He was also very fortunate to study musicianship with Joseph Iadone, a lutenist who studied with twentieth century composer Paul Hindemith. During this time, through diligent practicing and playing professionally with local musicians, he gained invaluable experience as a growing musician.
He attended Florida International University and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education in 1996. Throughout the nineties he continued to perform with many of the notable musicians in the South Florida area, some of whom include: Ira Sullivan, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Mike Gerber, Duffy Jackson, Turk Mauro, many others. He also formed a quartet with friend and saxophonist Dave Goldberg, whom he would eventually record several CDs with. After living briefly in New York City, and participating in the jazz scene there, Duane moved back to Florida where he continued to perform and teach guitar in various music studios.
In 2001, he moved to Southern California to participate in the music scene of Los Angeles, where he lives today. During the years 2007-2009 he attended the University of California Irvine; and graduated with a Master's Degree in Jazz Studies. Since then, he has continued to perform and record with many different kinds of projects, as well as maintain an active teaching schedule.
Recording Music
During this time he recorded two CD's under the Tritone record label such as: Jazz Standard, and When Time Approaches. Never losing sight of his rock roots, he recorded the CD Radioman as a member of the alternative rock band Bricqmen. In 2003, he recorded the album Surreality with the Dave Goldberg/Duane Allen Quartet on Tritone records. Since moving to California, he has steadily performed with many of the top musicians in Los Angeles, performing in a variety of styles such as: jazz, blues, rock, experimental, acoustic, and others. In the 2000s he recorded his solo jazz CD entitled Yin Yang under the Tritone label, as well as performing on Dave Goldberg's The Path You Choose on the same label. In 2008 he released the self-titled debut with the rock band The Noise Majestic. In 2012, he released his next solo jazz CD entitled In Transit with organist Joe Bagg and drummer Jason Harnell, and in 2014 he released a new CD with his group entitled Trio Eclectic with saxophonist Dave Goldberg and drummer Jason Harnell. In 2018, Trio Eclectic released its second album Breathe; this time with drummer Chris Wabich.
Currently
In 2022 Allen released his most recent album Empty Streets; featuring Josh Nelson on piano and Fender Rhodes, Karl McComas-Reichl on bass, and Dan Schnelle on drums. Besides performing regularly in the Southern California region, he is also an adjunct music professor at Cypress College, Vanguard University of Southern California, and California School of the Arts San Gabriel Valley.