April 1998

Harry Allen Quartet
A Little Touch of Harry
Master Mix Music

By Marcela Breton

Harry Allen is a solid tenor man working within the jazz tradition. On these 12 standards the listener gets an opportunity to hear his liquid, rhythmic tone on swinging numbers such as "From This Moment On" and "All God's Chillin' Got Rhythm." He brings a lyrical, light and breathy approach to the ballads "Nobody's Heart" and "I Wanna Be Around." It doesn't hurt that Allen is accompanied by the peerless trio of Kenny Barron, piano, George Mraz, bass and Al Foster, drums.