Meet Bruce
Legendary Jazz Musician Bruce V. Allen
Florida-based inspirational jazz musician Bruce V. Allen is best known for his collaborations with the dynamic duo Allen & Allen, composed of Allen Wiggins on saxophone and Bruce Allen on piano. Together, they have received numerous accolades over the years, including two Stellar Awards, and most recently, Bruce Allen was honored with the Wayman Tisdale Jazz Award.
Born in East St. Louis, Illinois, Allen’s extraordinary talent opened doors far beyond what many could imagine. He received his diploma from Lincoln Senior High School, the same school attended by legendary jazz musician Miles Davis. Allen went on to graduate from Bethune-Cookman University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, and later earned a Master of Organizational Management degree from the University of Phoenix.
With a strong foundation in both education and faith, Allen quickly began to soar in the music industry. His career includes performances at Carnegie Hall, appearances on the NBC Today Show, and opening for gospel greats such as Yolanda Adams. He has performed with or shared the stage alongside an impressive list of legendary artists, including Andre Crouch, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Fred Hammond, Yolanda Adams, Edwin Hawkins, John P. Kee, Twinkie Clark, George Duke, Kirk Whalum, Herbie Hancock, Melba Moore, Richard Smallwood, Donnie McClurkin, and Boney James, among many others. Over the years, Allen has traveled the world, made remarkable strides in his career, and remained deeply humbled by all that God has allowed him to accomplish.
A few years ago, Allen faced one of the greatest challenges of his life when he suffered two strokes that weakened his right side and affected his brain, taking away the fluidity he once had in his playing. In a moment of deep anguish, he asked God, “What did I do so bad that You would take away my gift of playing?” For nearly a year, there was silence. Then Allen felt God speak to his heart, saying, “If you trust Me, I will do more with what you have left than what you had before.”
After a year of intensive physical and speech therapy, and through faith, perseverance, and hard work, those words began to manifest. From that moment forward, Allen committed himself to playing with purpose, allowing his music to minister not just through sound, but through testimony.
Bruce V. Allen is married to his wife, A. Renita, and together they have two children, Bruce (Jaila) and Candace (Freddie).
Enjoy the music of Bruce V. Allen, straight from the heart.