ABOUT MARK ALLEN 

Saxophonist and multi-woodwind player Mark Allen has been an active member of the Philadelphia music scene for over 15 years.  A native of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Allen was asked to join the faculty upon graduating from University of the Arts with his master’s degree, where he served as the head of the Saxophone/Woodwind department and taught the history of jazz and music theory until 2024. He currently is on the faculty at the Boyer College of Music at Temple University.

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Though often seen and heard performing regularly on several woodwind instruments, he specializes in the baritone saxophone, an instrument he has focused on mastering since the first time he heard Gerry Mulligan and Pepper Adams as a boy. Allen’s unique take on this under-appreciated instrument has allowed him to share the stage and/or record with luminaries including Tony Bennett, Orrin Evans, George Garzone, Benny Golson, Wycliffe Gordon, Adam Blackstone, Cynthia Erivo, Jennifer Hudson, Jimmy Heath, Lady Gaga and Dick Oatts, among others.

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Mark has been featured on two Grammy nominated records and his saxophone and clarinet playing was recently heard accompanying Reba McIntyre during the national anthem at Super Bowl LVIII.

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In addition to co-leading several ensembles, Allen is an active member of the Philly Pops (bass clarinet/woodwind fifth chair), the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia and several other Philadelphia/New York ensembles. His classical performance credits include performances on piccolo, clarinets and saxophones with the Pennsylvania Ballet orchestra, the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Orchestra 2001 and the Delaware Symphony Orchestra.

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Allen is also active in the Philadelphia theater scene as a woodwind player, performing on saxophones, flutes and clarinets and regularly playing at Philadelphia’s storied Academy of Music in touring Broadway productions.