Drummer Carl Allen's first gigs were with legends Sonny Stitt and James Moody. Pretty impressive start! He would continue on, working with Freddie Hubbard, Wayne Shorter, J.J. Johnson, Michael and Randy Brecker, Sammy Davis, Jr., Ruth Brown, Bobby Hutcherson, Joe Henderson, Jackie McLean, and countless others. He provided swing to Donald Harrison's Nouveau Swing. His own recordings celebrated Miles Davis; his bands celebrated Elvin Jones and Art Blakey. When Christian McBride needed just the right swing for his Inside Straight band, the nod went to Carl Allen.
With Tippin', his first recording as a leader in 20 years, Carl Allen chose a Trio setting, recruiting McBride and versatile saxophonist Chris Potter to achieve his dream.
The result provides a new look toward works by Charlie Parker and Freddie Hubbard, tributes to old friends James Williams and Roy Hargrove, along with a reconnect to some of his own works, alongside a couple of standards with new clothes. It's a triumphant trio dedicated to furthering the invention of the jazz canon.
