"Allen's control of the timbers, from guttural moans to clarion peals, 

and his ability to squeeze whimpers out of brass and hurl them 

at the listener, marks him as a horn man to watch." 

W. Royal Stokes-The Washington Post

"...Bracingly vivid trumpeter..." 

Howard Mandel-The Village Voice (N.Y.C.)

"His conception and phrasing recall Lee Morgan's command of the latin idiom." 

Keith Raether-The News Tribune (Seattle)

"...he screams and screeches, taunts and teases, 

growls and groans, sneaks and snakes." 

Gil Sokolow-The I.A.J.R.C. Journal

"A fullness replete with soft tone-edges and great leaping ability makes Allen interesting and worth a listen." 

Andy Bartlett-Cadence Magazine

"Allen's trumpet and flugelhorn playing is marked by a playful inventiveness underscored by a slightly husky, almost vocal, tone and use of such swing trumpet strategies as smears, growls and glisses." 

George Kanzler-The Star Ledger (Newark, N.J.)

"Allen displays wit, charm, and true soul amidst the bristling themes

and exposes fine sensitivity in the more harmonious passages." 

Sid Gribetz-JazzTimes