G. Thomas Allen Quintet
G. Thomas Allen – vocals
Dennis Luxion piano
Jeremiah Hunt – bass
Greg Artry drums
Brent Griffin, Jr. saxophone
“Award-winning Vocalist/Composer/Music Educator G. Thomas Allen (affectionately called Sir Thomas Allen) is listed as a “Rising Star in the New Jersey Jazz Society on the heels of winning the 2021 Sarah Vaughan International Vocal Jazz Competition. Recognized as the first and only male in history, to hold the prestigious SASSY Award” ~ Downbeat Magazine.
Thomas’ work spans multi-genres, as a former Principal Artist of Los Angeles Opera and lead singer on GRAMMY-nominated album Choirmaster (Motown Gospel 2020). He has worked with the late David Baker, jazz educator and conductor of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, guest soloist with the Black Pearl Chamber Ensemble, Royal Melbourne Philharmonic, and former member of Soulful Symphony. Other noted collaborations: Marquis Hill, Pharez Whitted, and the Jason Max Ferdinand Singers (JMFS).
He has appeared on National Public Radio (NPR), and Cable Network News (CNN) and performed at some of the top concert halls in America, including The Kennedy Center, NJPAC, and Carnegie Hall. Always jamming in top jazz rooms with past and upcoming performances at SOUTH Jazz Club in Philly, The Jazz Showcase in Chicago, and Minton’s Playhouse in Harlem (birthplace of bebop) to name a few. Past performances at the 50th New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and the TD Jazz Moody Jazz Festival and set to perform at the White Plains NY Jazz Festival on September 18.
Thomas’ highly anticipated self-titled solo album debuted as the No. #1 jazz album on iTunes (eOne Nashville) an undeniable melodic blend of tradition and modernity (All About Jazz). Thomas brings a unique approach to the genre with his soul-infused phrases, paired with improvisation from modern-day stylizing to straight- ahead, classic jazz. His four-octave range and warm timbre are second-to-none and often compared to the likes of the iconic Philip Bailey.
2x-graduate of Morgan State University, as a Vocal Studies alum and second-BA in Speech Communication. Master of Music in Musical Theatre Vocal Pedagogy, Carthage College – as Diversity Fellow, c/o ’23. Thomas serves on the voice faculty of Columbia College of Chicago, Carthage College, and Director of Jazz & Contemporary Voice at ChiArts Conservatory.