Roderick Allen

Roderick Allen is an American-born music composer, producer, arranger, songwriter, & instrumental recording artist currently residing in Durham, North Carolina. Although a versatile musician, he has a strong preference for the urban-contemporary characteristics of smooth jazz. Born in 1971 in Fayetteville, NC, Mr. Allen became greatly influenced by the works of Stevie Wonder, James “D -Train” Williams, & George Duke. As a juvenile growing up in Raeford, NC, Fayetteville, NC, and Ft. Lee, VA, he took an interest in playing keyboards and piano after his best friend Stanley Thompson, began writing and recording original songs. Roderick soon found himself surrounded by very talented musicians and singers. This would ultimately play a significant role in his development as a musician and producer. In 1990 Roderick enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and after settling at Camp LeJeune, NC, he began performing with local bands. Although his skills as a musician earned him positions in countless performing groups, it is his ability to compose and arrange intriguing original music that has gained him the most notoriety. Recently, one of his songs, JUST ME & MY BABY featuring Shameka Henderson, was drafted as the closing theme for a fledgling television sitcom. In 2004, an online radio station facilitated his climb to the #13 position on its Top 100 Jazz Artists of 2004, an independent chart largely occupied by some of the biggest names in smooth jazz. Since then, he has worked tirelessly building his brand and bolstering his repertoire of quality smooth jazz compositions as heard on his debut album entitled ELEVATION MUSIC. ELEVATION MUSIC is a production of tranquil smooth jazz keyboards and sultry up-tempo grooves featuring award-winning saxophonists Marcus Anderson & Eric Marienthal. The album was released on Oct 9th 2015 and just four days later, it became the #1-selling jazz album in both the Smooth Jazz and Jazz fusion genres on Amazon.com for several days. Since then, it has been the focus of jazz radio programming throughout the U.S. and overseas, including Spain, Japan, Switzerland, & The United Kingdom. Also featured on the album is sensational jazz pianist Bob Baldwin and a host of other very gifted instrumentalists including Quamon Fowler (saxophone), Richard Boulger (trumpet), Russ Corvey (guitar), Ashley “Aluv” Doe (electric bass), & powerful singer/ songwriter Stanley Thompson. Mr. Allen is currently recording his sophomore album entitled DOCKERY STREET due Spring 2016.

Roderick Allen took an interest in playing keyboards as a teenager, just prior to enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in 1990. Although his skills as a musician earned him positions in countless bands and performing groups, it is his ability to compose and arrange intriguing original music that has gained him notoriety, with fans as far away as The Netherlands. Recently, one of his songs, JUST ME & MY BABY, was used as the closing theme for a fledgling television sitcom. In 2004, an online radio station facilitated his climb to the #13 position on its Top 100 Jazz Artists of 2004, a chart largely occupied by some of the biggest names in smooth jazz

Although I've performed with numerous bands, I prefer studio recording. I love the calculated process of recording & producing record albums.

Since childhood, I've been influenced by the likes of Stevie Wonder, James "D-Train Williams", & George Duke.

I use Apple Logic Studio software with a keyboard controller. I mix through Yamaha HS7 reference monitors and capture live instruments and vocals through T.C. Electronics Konnekt 6 firewire audio interface. I compose with various Keyboards and controllers.