Tony Allen (musician) - Early Career

Early Career

A self-taught musician, Allen began to play drum-kit at the age of eighteen, while working as an engineer for a Nigerian radio station. Allen was influenced by music his father listened to (Juju, traditional Yoruba ceremonial music), but also American jazz, and the growing highlife scene in Nigeria and Ghana. Allen worked hard to develop a unique voice on the drums- feverishly studying LPs and magazine articles by Max Roach and Art Blakey, but also revolutionary Ghanaian drummer Guy Warren (now Kofi Ghanaba - who developed a highly sought sound that mixed tribal Ghanaian drumming with bop - working with Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, and Max Roach).

Tony was hired by 'Sir' Victor Olaiya to play claves (sticks) with his highlife band, "the Cool Cats". Tony was able to fill the drum-set chair when the former Cool Cats drummer left the band. Allen later played with Agu Norris and the Heatwaves, the Nigerian Messengers and the Melody Makers.

Read more about this topic:  Tony Allen (musician)

Famous quotes containing the words early and/or career:

    I don’t believe one grows older. I think that what happens early on in life is that at a certain age one stands still and stagnates.
    —T.S. (Thomas Stearns)

    They want to play at being mothers. So let them. Expressing tenderness in their own way will not prevent girls from enjoying a successful career in the future; indeed, the ability to nurture is as valuable a skill in the workplace as the ability to lead.
    Anne Roiphe (20th century)