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Lee Allen

 


Lee Allen | Worthpoint | Copyright control | tc786

Rhythm and blues saxophonist Lee Allen was born in Pittsburgh, Kansas, on 2 July 1927, and was raised in Denver, Colorado. He developed an interest in the saxophone as a child, and after completing studies in music and athletics, settled in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1943. In the late 1940s he was a member of the Paul Gayten band and then the Dave Bartholomew band. He became a key figure in New Orleans rock and roll music from the 1950s and can be heard on most recordings by Little Richard, Fats Domino, Huey Piano Smith and Lloyd Price. He and drummer Earl Palmer also backed Professor Longhair on many of his recordings. In the 1970s he was playing on albums by Dr. John and Buddy Miles. 

Lee Allen died of lung cancer in New Orleans, Louisiana on 18 October, 1994.

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