Jake Allen

The ethereal sound of Jake Allen's music attaches to your heartbeat and reverberates through your veins with the warmth of a long-lost embrace. He moves around the acoustic guitar like he's been holding it for a lifetime, gliding from end to end and producing sounds that you'd normally expect from a full band. Although most audiences are introduced to Jake Allen through the spectacle of his solo acoustic performances, the scope of Allen's artistry runs much deeper. At age five, Allen began exploring synthesizers and recording music in his father’s Northern Michigan studio. By fourteen, he had become proficient with a variety of instruments and he solidified his commitment to a life of producing and performing music. Allen has since gone on to produce several acclaimed solo records, playing every instrument himself, while tastefully complementing his smooth to soaring voice. In addition to drums, keyboards, harp and other various instruments, Jake often stresses his belief in using the studio itself as a key instrument in creating his massive productions and concept albums. His deep and detailed records lend themselves to the fleeting practice of sitting down and really listening to a record from start to finish. By his late teens, Allen found himself being drawn to the sounds of finger-style guitar trailblazers like Michael Hedges and Andy McKee. He started to pin point his focus on acoustic guitar, crafting his own breed of six string wizardry. On top of a two-hands on the neck, percussive tapping style, Jake employed an array of effects and live looping to create an engaging solo performance. Through the art of looping, he discovered a way to create a virtual clone-like backing band. With this sufficient box of tools, Jake took his solo show to the road in 2009, touring twice a year ever since. In addition to his solo endeavors, Allen actively tours the U.S. with his full backing band bringing his lush studio productions to life on stage. These live efforts have garnered endorsements from musical gear companies like Takamine, Fender and Gretsch guitars. Jake can often be found online and in the flesh showing off new guitars and other products made by these reputable companies. Jake spent 2017 vigorously touring North America with the Sony Masterworks recording artists, The Accidentals. In addition to opening their shows with his innovative solo acoustic performances, Allen also starred as a guest in the band on guitar and keyboards. Throughout the last several years of touring, Jake found enough time in the studio to release his newest critically acclaimed record, “Deviant Motions” which features dynamic violin and cello performances by Sav Buist and Katie Larson of The Accidentals. Jake is now touring internationally in support of Deviant Motions with dates in Europe, China and Japan. As Jake Allen continues to write, produce albums and perform, his mission statement remains the same. "I observe, report and affirm my life through the act of making music. In turn I wish that act will enrich the lives of others and inspire them to be their own definition of great."