About Sam Allen
Lived 1909 – 1963 (aged 53–54). Sam Allen was an American jazz musician, pianist and musician.
Sam Allen (January 30, 1909 – April 1963) was an American jazz pianist.
Early life Allen was born in Middleport, Ohio. Beginning at the age of 10, he accompanied silent films on piano in movie theaters.
Career In 1928, Allen moved to New York City, where he joined Herbert Cowans's band at the Rockland Palace. Before long, he moved back to Ohio, where he played with saxophonist Alex Jackson in 1930. He joined James P. Johnson's orchestra as the second pianist and then was a member of the Teddy Hill band. In the 1940s he worked with Stuff Smith, Dizzy Gillespie, and became pianist for Slim & Slam.
Discography
With Dizzy Gillespie The Complete RCA Victor Recordings (Bluebird, 1995)
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Important facts
People in Sam Allen's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Sam Allen's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Sam Allen?
American jazz pianist
When was Sam Allen born?
Sam Allen was born on 30 January 1909 in Middleport.
When did Sam Allen die?
Sam Allen died in 1963 in Oakland.
What was Sam Allen's occupation?
Sam Allen was a jazz musician, pianist and musician.
What nationality was Sam Allen?
Sam Allen was American.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Sam Allen (musician)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Sam Allen. https://biography.guide/sam-allen-jazz-musician/
MLA: "Sam Allen." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/sam-allen-jazz-musician/.
Chicago: "Sam Allen." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/sam-allen-jazz-musician/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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